I miss you Grandpa

On Thursday May 19th a wonderful, loving and very tall :) man, my grandpa went to join the angels in heaven.  Grandpa was only 74 years old and in the medical profession that i am in, that just seems to young to me. I see 80 and 90 yr olds everyday still smiling and even some still driving cars. God must have needed somebody to come and make a fishing pole, fix a car or play with some kids that are up in heaven. 

         I did not have the strength to talk at his funeral, even though I wanted too. Both of my brothers surprised me beyond words and showed what great men they have turned out to be. They spoke about great memories with grandpa and what an impact he had on all of our lives. I want to share some of my memories of grandpa.
      When I was younger my brothers and I had the opportunity to go down to California and spend the month of July with my grandparents for many  many years. I have so many wonderful memories and I would not trade them for anything.  We went to San Francisco about four times where we did all tourist adventures. We went to fisherman's wharf, the Zoo, Golden Gate Park and one of my fondest memories is walking across the Golden Gate Bridge. I remember Thomas and I begging Grandpa to take us on the bridge and walk all the way across it and back. Grandma wouldn't go because Ryan was too little.  So I vividly remember I held onto Grandpa's left hand while Thomas had the right. It was so windy and you can feel the bridge bouncing and swaying up and down. It was amazing!! 

        Grandpa and Grandma use to always have adventures set up and planned for us when we came down for summer break. We went for bike rides, that always ended up in multiple flat tires, endless trips to the park, grandpa even took us the big water park in Sacramento and he went on all the water slides!  One time Grandma and Grandpa surprised us and told us that we were going on a road trip. Grandpa told us " do you see that cloud out there in the sky? well we are going under that cloud."  We drove and drove for i remember what seemed like forever, but was actually only 2 hours. We ended up in Reno, NV. Now us kids, we thought we were so cool, we were in Reno!! We stayed at Circus Circus and played all the games.Grandpa continuously handing out coin after coin. But the best memory of that trip is that Thomas and I really wanted to see Reno's famous sign, " Biggest Little City in the World"

    So Grandpa said that he would take us down to see it. It was late at night and dark, we walked hand in hand just to see that sign. It was everything a 9  and 7 yr old could think of. I will never forget that.

I also remember going down to the Saturn car dealership where Grandpa was the service dept manager and spending the afternoon with him. Sitting at his desk, getting a soda pop out of the machine and meeting all of his co-workers. Grandpa was always so proud to show us off!  

      The one thing that I am so happy about is that he was able to meet Claire. Grandpa was too sick to come to Oregon for Christmas so on the way home Travis and I stopped by in California and spent some time with Grandma and him. He held my daughter, just the way i am sure  he held me 27 yrs ago.  I had wanted him to meet his great-granddaughter and her to meet him.  I will always cherish that short visit as it was my last. I miss you grandpa and look forward to the day we meet again.  Thank you for your kindness and the love you gave grandma for 49 1/2 years.