I am now officially without grandparents

The weird thing is, while I’m sad I’m not overly upset. I feel…well, I guess the thing is that I don’t actually know how I feel.

I hadn’t seen my grandma Grassie for quite some time, which is as much my own fault as anyone else’s. She’s been living in as assisted living facility for awhile now, but been doing generally okay. Late last week she took a turn for the worse, and at some point this week she passed on.

She was the last surviving grandparent that I had left. Rather than being all depressed and upset today, I find myself remembering the many times her and my grandpa would visit. They made a point of coming out every single year and spending weeks with us when he was alive…lots of good memories from those visits.

I guess that, more than anything else, it’s sort of another reminder that all of those family members that I have aren’t getting any younger. Hell, my parents are in their 60’s. Most of my aunts and uncles are in that age bracket as well. I guess it’s a reminder that I really should get off my ass and start spending time with people I want to spend time with, eh?

‘Lucky’ for most of you people reading, that quite possibly includes you. I am your blessing! Or something. This post has definitely gone in a very weird direction…

I guess the only way to really end this is just to say goodbye to my grandmother. You will be missed.

Qikdraw

Sorry to hear that Cliff. Grandmothers are special people.
Roxy

Sorry for your loss Cliff. I lost my last grandparent over 10 years ago. It was years after my grandfather passed, that I wished I had made more of an effort to have him tell stories from his younger days. I would really liked to have had heard of his experiences during WWI. So get those stories from your parents, aunts and uncles, etc. They are your heritage.
http://www.peerpressureworks.com Cliff

Thanks, Roxy. The stories is one area I’ve got pretty well covered.
I’ve heard just about everything about my parents and their siblings
growing up (including many fun little tales I’m sure they didn’t
particularly want me to know…).
Michelou

Losing anybody is hard, but family moreso. I’m sorry for your loss. You could always “adopt” a senior in an old age home. Not that I mean in any way that that is supposed to replace your grandmother, but I did that when my last grandparent died, it made it easier to deal with, along with the added benefit of making Eloise’s days as she didn’t have anyone to visit her.
Midfingr

First of all, my deepest sympathies for you, Cliff. It’s always difficult to lose someone. The title had caught my attention, thinking; my title would read, ‘without parents’… I never knew my grandparents and only have a few faded, black & white photos of them from my mother’s side. The same could be said concerning aunts and uncles as they’ve all passed on, only meeting some of them for very short periods.

Here’s a little tid-bit. My uncle Bob (no really) was the GM for the B.C. Lions way back in the ’70′s. As time passes and the wounds heal (or numb), we will always have the memories.
http://www.peerpressureworks.com Cliff

Thanks for the comment. For me, it was almost as much a realization that
it was the end of an era in my family life as much as anything.

And…(dons football fan hat)…are you talking about Bob Ackles? You
know, the CFL Hall of Famer?
Midfingr

Hi Cliff. It’s always difficult to talk about these things. I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts.

… no way! He’s a Hall of Famer!!?? is he still alive? and yes, that is my uncle, same last name too.
Midfingr

Oops.. Edit that. He would be my cousin, a nephew to my father. I see he passed on in 2008.
http://www.peerpressureworks.com Cliff

Happy to do so.

And yes, yes he is. Started with the Lions back in the 50′s as a water
boy (no, seriously). Stayed with the organization, working through
executive spots until he finally became GM. Went down to the NFL in
player personnel for a bit (I believe with the Cowboys), then came back
up and served as Lions President until he died. Inducted in the Builder
category in 2002, and in to the BC Sports Hall of fame a year or two
later. Also wrote an autobiography called The Water Boy.