I ust got home from Twin Falls (a city about an hour and a half south of boise) where my grandpa is in the ICU right now.
He is 91. Had surgery last monday on his digestive tract. I left the other day and flew down there to be with him and my family. He was ok for a couple of days, then he started slipping, he couldnt breath well and his lungs were filling with fluid and he was having heart problems.
I finally got my nerves together and went in to see him last night, and it was the hardest thing i have ever done. I have never felt so much sorrow, and have been so proud at the same time. It was the first time in years i couldnt talk. I just sat there, choked out the words i love you to him, and he wrote out some stuff for me (they were doing things to his lungs prior to me going in so he couldnt talk). Im still not right from it. Im not used to crying.
Grandpa is 91, i have learned a great deal from him. From his wisdom, to all of the history he has bore witness too, to his compassion and his strength. (he said he wanted to arm wrestle me) and to his humor even when times are hard.
What an amazing family i have. Every single person, all my cousins, aunts and uncles, from all over the country was there. He was born during the first world war in germany, moved to the US, enlisted after pearl harbor, served during WW2, the cold war, had 4 children, had a farm, had his own business on top of the farm, had a double bypass surgery in his 60's, was given ten years to live, and is right now beating the odds once again at the age of 91.
He and i on his 90th birthday talked about him making it to tripple digits, and he was reminded today that he needed to do it, and damn it he just might.
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Published by lakia: 12:26 AM
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