Friday, October 22, 2010

84 years strong

If there was one man on this earth that believed in Heaven and eternal life, it was my Grandpa. In all the heartache our family has gone through, he always had the right thing to say because he himself has gone through more than you can imagine and still made it to 84. He was honest to God the staple in our family. Especially this past year.
Yesterday, after what we believed and expected to be a routine surgery for his gallbladder, Grandpa went to Heaven to be with my Grandma, 2 adult sons, 7 babies (yes, 7 born into the arms of Jesus or lived a few minutes- I told you this man was strong) Charlie and my little Nolan.

We all had spent a pretty easy week in the hospital with him after a severe gallbladder attack turned into pancreatitis last Sunday morning. He was so impressed with his care from all my nurse friends on the floor he was on and so thankful for his private room they got him. I am telling you, he was such a simple man to make happy. Even the last night he was wanting to tip his darn nurse and tech for giving him a hot shower and a shave. I never expected for the hours I spent with him this past week to be his last.

Yesterday feels like a blur, I stood there watching some of my best friends and coworkers work on Grandpa and fight for him in post-op. It was hard to watch, I was the therapist in plain clothes standing at the end of the bed watching yet another nightmare happen. I'm not really sure how I handled yesterday being so calm, maybe it was the healthcare worker in me kicked in and stayed strong for my Mom and Aunt. But I sit here now at 3am in the morning wondering how in the heck I got through yesterday without getting my own self admitted with blood pressure spikes. Strength? Who knows.

I am just so saddened by it all but the one thing that comforts me is he had so much faith in Heaven. He believed after all his heartache in 84 years, he simply believed.


24 comments:

Misty said...

I am sorry Ashley for the loss of your grandpa! He looks like a beautiful man! He reminds me so much of my own grandpa who is also watching over us from heaven. I am praying for you and your family.

Courtney said...

Ashley, You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong, sweetie.

belle said...

i am so sorry to hear this! (((((hugs))))) and prayers!

Anonymous said...

Oh Ashley (huge hugs) I am so sorry. I wish I could give you live hug. Thinking and praying for your family.

Marie W said...

I am so sorry to hear this Ashley. Keeping your entire family in my prayers. You all have been through so much the past two years.... Hugs.

Beth said...

I really and truly hate to hear this. I couldn't be you, I really couldn't do it. You are such a strong woman and it amazes me. Praying for you and your family. *hugs*

michelle hs said...

i'm sorry for the loss of your grandpa ashley. but i'm so glad he is in heaven now and you made it through the day without getting admitted to the hospital yourself! hugs

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry Ashley for your loss. This year has been so hard on your family, something good has to come, and in 4-7 weeks that will happen when baby CC joins the family. I will keep you in my prayers.

Alise said...

I'm so sorry for you and your families loss! I'll be praying for all of you! (HUGS)

*Laura Angel said...

tears....no words...just sending love your way.

Pink Pamalamma said...

I simply do not understand how one family can be handed so much heartache in such a short amount of time. It really isn't fair. I'm so sorry for yet another loss... I hope he is resting peacefully in Heaven with his grandson and great grandson. xoxo

Natalie said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandpa. My grandpa passed away after having what we thought was routine gallbladder surgery too. I also never thought at the time the the last time we went to visit would be the last time I ever saw him. Sending thoughts and prayers your way.

Dana said...

Wow, I can't believe how much loss your family has suffered, recently and in the distant past. How a man survives the deaths of 7 babies and 2 adult children is beyond me. He sounds like a wonderful person.

Thinking of you and your family.

Lindsey said...

I'm so sorry for your loss! My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

Lori said...

I have no words either....just wanted to send you love and to let you know I was praying for your family. What an amazing man. Heaven is blessed with his presence.
xoxo

Alissa said...

Ashley, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. What an amazing man...hugs to him up in Heaven with all of his loved ones around him. Take care, hun. Know people are thinking of you.

Johanna said...

I am so so sorry Ashley. The only words that even come to mind right now are, "God have MERCY on this family."

Katie said...

Ashley I'm so sorry to hear this! Huge *HUGS* to you!

Pretty Lil Parties said...

I am so sorry for your loss Ashley my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family today :(

Unknown said...

First and foremost, I am so very sorry for your loss. Take comfort in knowing that your grandfather lived a very long and wonderful life, as he was surrounded by some pretty amazing people, despite all you have experienced.

Secondly, I cannot begin to tell you enough that you are quite possibly the strongest person I "know." I have been reading your blog for quite some time and I cannot imagine how you have been able to overcome all that you have. I surely would not be as graceful and amazing as you have been given all that has occurred over the last few years. Your poise and character shine through in every single post and I commend you for your strength through adversity. You deserve nothing but the best that life has to offer, and I have a feeling you'll be handed that on December 10th.

A big, huge hug from this stranger to your family. May you always see life to be beautiful and worth every minute as you are seeing it now. You are truly a blessed and beautiful person.

Jennifer said...

I am thinking about you and your family!! Stay strong for you and the little one!

Holly said...

I'm so saddened to hear about your grandpa. From your words I can tell he is a wonderful man.

Lori Carey said...

What a beautiful smile he has! I love the photo you chose of him. Praying for you and your family as you go through the coming weeks.

Southern Queen of the Crazies said...

I miss my two grandpas too. I am sorry for the loss of yours.