My beloved Grandfather passed away and I've been sad. I will miss him so much, and really wish I could be in Ohio with my family right now, but there's no way I could make the trip.
He was a gentle giant. The child of Slovak immigrants, he's the reason I'm tall. My other 3 grandparents are Italian, and on the shorter side.
He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, and was part of what has come to be known as The Greatest Generation. And I believe it was.
He was an entrepreneur, and had his own television repair shop back in the day when you actually took your TV to get it repaired instead of throwing it away and buying a new one.
Eventually he started fixing TV's on his own. He had some clients who couldn't afford to pay him, so they made quilts in exchange for the TV repair. Everyone in the family had one of those quilts.
His love for electronics never ceased. He became an Internet junkie in his late 70's and always kept up to date on my blog. I can't imagine what could have possibly interested him on this blog, except the fact that I was the author. He thought that was neat.
He computer-made all of the greeting cards he and Grandma sent out, and they went through crazy amounts of printer ink. They never missed a holiday.
He was sincere as sunshine.
He loved to chew Big Red gum.
He played golf until he was 80 years old.
Sometimes when I'd say goodbye, he would hug me so tight I couldn't breathe.
When he talked to you, you felt like you were the only person in the world.
The last time I saw him, I thought it might be the last time forever. I was right. I made sure to hug him extra long and walked away with tears in my eyes that he didn't see.
He called me Pootz.
He would've given you his last $20 and the shirt off his back if you needed it.
He had suffered long enough, and although we never wanted to say goodbye, we know he is at peace now.
Like many grandfathers, he was special. And I miss him.
Andrea, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. It sounds like your grandpa was a wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Hugs, Debi
Posted by: debi | April 20, 2010 at 09:02 PM
Oh Andrea, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. He sounds like he was wonderful and lead a great life. I am glad you got to give him that extra long hug the last time you got to see him.
Sending you a hug.
Posted by: hope | paper relics | April 20, 2010 at 09:13 PM
Andrea, I am sorry you lost your grandfather. He sounded like a great guy. It sounded like you had a great relationship with him so you will always have those memories to hold onto and share. We need to be reminded more often of the good that people have done and do today instead of of the negative things we are always bombarded with. My prayers are with you and your family.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | April 20, 2010 at 09:18 PM
Warmest thoughts are with you. What a lovely & thoughtful post.
Posted by: Tami B. | April 20, 2010 at 09:21 PM
Andrea, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your grandfather sounds like a wonderful man -- the kind who was a joy to be around and who made you feel like the light of his life. Love, Annie
Posted by: Annie Joy | April 20, 2010 at 09:25 PM
Andrea, I am so sorry for your loss he sounds like he was a great man and you had lots of good time with him. Keep and cherish those memories and he will always be with you.
XOXO, Zizette
Posted by: Zizette | April 20, 2010 at 09:34 PM
Andrea...I am so very sorry for your loss. How lucky you were to have such a great man in your life. You are in my thoughts.
Valarie
Posted by: Valarie Kraft | April 20, 2010 at 09:35 PM
Feeling so sad for you. What a lovely tribute you've written for your dear grandpa. I'm sure he loved your blog because it kept him in touch with YOU.
Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings to you and your family.
Posted by: Susan | April 20, 2010 at 09:48 PM
What a beautiful post, he sounded like an amazing person. I'll hug my own grandparents a little tighter from now on. I'm sorry for your loss.
xoxo
Posted by: Melissa | April 20, 2010 at 09:56 PM
Andrea, I am so sorry for your family's loss. Your warm words described a loving grandpa and cherished memories. It brought tears to my eyes thinking of my grandpa I lost several years ago. Thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Laurie | April 20, 2010 at 10:11 PM
Andrea, this is such a lovely tribute to your much loved grandpa...I know he will be missed. Thank you for sharing your memories with us...I'll be thinking of you...
Posted by: Linda | April 20, 2010 at 10:18 PM
I'm so sorry. My Grandad just died in January. Your Grandpa would be pleased with all the beautiful things you said about him. He sounds like he was a very special person.
I'm sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Rebekah | April 20, 2010 at 10:30 PM
Andrea, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. It's so sad to lose someone so precious, but you have certainly written a beautiful tribute to your Grandfather.
May you find comfort in this time of loss.
Posted by: Christy | April 20, 2010 at 10:42 PM
This was a beautiful and sincere tribute to your beloved Grandfather Andrea. After reading this and the way you wrote it, you made us feel like we've known and loved him too.
He'll be up in Heaven waiting to see your new little bambino (his great~great granddaughter) come into this world :)
May time heal your sadness and memories of him never be forgotten.
Posted by: Jodie (everything vintage) | April 20, 2010 at 10:44 PM
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Sending love and best wishes your way...
we love you!
xoxo suzanne and tiffany
Posted by: Suzanne Duda | April 20, 2010 at 10:51 PM
Andrea, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you! Families are forever.
~Jane
Posted by: Susiebelle | April 20, 2010 at 11:40 PM
Oh Andrea, I am so so sorry. You and your family are in our thoughts. Your grandfather sounds like a great man with amazing character.
Thank you for sharing your stories with us.
Wishing you the very best!!
Love to you!!
xoxo Jenny
Posted by: jenny heid | April 20, 2010 at 11:53 PM
Thank you for sharing your warm and loving memories of your Dear Grandpa..take care..
Posted by: bettyann | April 21, 2010 at 01:03 AM
Andrea, i am so sorry for your loss...your grandfather sounds like a wonderful man..my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Posted by: Lori | April 21, 2010 at 05:20 AM
Grandpas are the best.
Hugs and Blessings to You and Yours.
Ruth
Posted by: Ruth Graham | April 21, 2010 at 06:36 AM
I read your blog faithfully. I am sorry for your loss. You are right...his was the GREATEST generation of our time. Blessings to you during this time of grief.
Posted by: Kimberly | April 21, 2010 at 06:48 AM
Andrea I am so sorry to hear about your Grandpa. He sounded like an amazing man. Your post honours him beautifully, and made me cry when you said you knew it was probably the last time you were going to see him. I'm thinking of you and your sweet family. May your Grandpa be at peace and rest. I am sure he is watching over you now, especially each time you write a blog post xo
Posted by: Natasha Burns | April 21, 2010 at 06:52 AM
Oh Andrea I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your grandfather. Sending hugs your way. Take care.
Posted by: Shana | April 21, 2010 at 07:21 AM
Hello Sweetie:) What a beautiful life description of your beloved Grandpa. Now I know where you get your charm and grace from. Thinking of you and sending many hugs and prayers. Your Grandpa had a right to proud of you:)
Blessings,
Carol
Posted by: Raised In Cotton~Carol | April 21, 2010 at 07:43 AM
What a wonderful tribute to your Grandpa.
Posted by: Patty | April 21, 2010 at 08:03 AM