This is My Papa and his wife Lorraine. He is my mother's father and he lives in Montana. Jeff and I stopped by when we took our road trip back there almost two years ago. For awhile after he met Jeff, Papa thought it was funny to ask me "If he's Jeff, does that make you Mutt?" After we got engaged and then married, Papa would ask "Did you get my approval first? He knows he has to pass snuff with me right? Not just anyone can marry my Missy." As his health has declined, so has his memory. But the funny thing is, he remembers 25 years ago like it was yesterday. He often tells the story of me as a five year old out on the putting green outside their condo in Butte (I think it was Butte) twirling the big flag in circles over and over again. He always tells me "You were just the cutest little #$&%." Meant lovingly of course. ; )
Well, he has fought emphysema for almost a decade now, and has been on oxygen for almost 8 years, which is well beyond the two years they gave him to live at the time. Mom called me just a bit ago and gave me the news that they've moved him to a hospice facility and he's not expected to live much more than a day or so. Now, my Papa is a fighter... an ornery old man (he'd tell ya so himself). So he may turn around... he may wait until I can come hug him around the neck one more time like I was planning to do in just about a week. But I don't think so... I think it is his time. This phone call certainly isn't unexpected... but it did take me by surprise. I haven't seen Papa much more than once a year for the last several years. For a long time we would talk once a week on the phone... I'd call him every Tuesday afternoon. I'm ashamed to say our phone calls haven't been that frequent in awhile. Even so, it'll be hard to lose him... My Papa. May God bless you Papa... I love you.
4 comments:
Sorry to hear about "your" Papa. It is times like this that we always regret not making more of an effort for calls and such. I hope you get to see him one more time. I have never seen him before, but think you look like a granddaughter of his. :)
Hey- I'm sorry I haven't been to "visit" with you lately, but I have enjoyed catching up with your blog. There was a lot to catch up on here!
I am very sorry to hear about your Papa. Even when it is expected, and even desired for their comfort, losing a grandparent is the end of an era, and it is difficult. Please tell your Mom she is also in our thoughts. I am so glad you have all the memories and fun stories to cherish.
Hope we can catch up in person here sometime soon! Perhaps over a Whopper Jr....
Love, Melissa Also
Melisa, I am tearing up. Thank you for sharing. I am looking forward to seeing you!
love, Rebecca
I learned something Sunday that gave me some peace. Papa was actually baptized in the Lutheran Church probably 50 years ago...I asked our preacher here Sunday whether he thought that was a valid baptism...he said he knew the Lutheran church baptized for the right reasons - forgiveness of sins. Anyway - in the homile the minister did at the non-funeral, he made reference to having been able to find the Lutheran records on Papa and g'ma's baptisms. The minister had been meeting with Papa regularly this last year to discuss his eternal destination. Rainey shared that part with me. I'm thinking our Papa made it to heaven!!!
:) MT MOM
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