Grandparents Are Underrated

[CosmicCowboy]

sorry for your loss LJ...and I know how you feel...

I never knew my grandparents on my fathers side but had the priviledge of being able to spend time with both grandparents on my moms side...they were divorced and living in different towns and my grandfather was remarried...that divorce was one of those things that was basically on the "do not ask" list as a kid but apparently it was THE scandalous talk of the small town they lived in at the time...my grandfather was apparently fooling around with the redheaded schoolteacher who was married to my grandmothers brother which ended up creating some interesting family dynamics...questions like..."why is my grandfather married to my aunt?" were routinely ducked...but I digress...

anyway...my grandfather was one of those texans that was just larger than life...worked hard, played hard, everyones friend...lived his life to the fullest...as an example bought a Honda Goldwing when he was in his 70's, pimped it out and joined a "gang" called the "retreads"...he was the only adult I knew that would sit down with me as a kid and talk about real things and listen to what I said without making judgemental adult comments...He was really a role model for me in every way...

He eventually developed prostate cancer when I was an "adult" (whatever that is) and fought it for several years...they eventually decided that as a life extending measure they needed to surgically remove his testicles...I was visiting him in the hospital the night before the procedure...we were laughing and cutting up, telling dirty jokes and just generally enjoying life and each other when one of my asshole ex-brother in laws showed up...(I have three sisters and ten ex-brother in laws but thats another story)

anyway...he immediately launches into a monologue about how sorry he was that my grandfather had to have the procedure and how awful it must be...just generally threw cold water on the whole situation...and my grandfathers response was absolutely priceless...

He looked him straight in the eyes and said..."boy...you don't need to feel sorry for ME...I've had more good pussy in my life than you will ever even THINK about getting..."

I nearly fell off my chair laughing...And thats how I will always remember my Grandfather...

[gay abc]

wow - moving story lj - i'm sorry to hear about that = (

my mema & pappaw died when i was young and i don't remember much about them except for the outhouse in the back yard i was an accident (imagine that!) and popped out 17 years later

Once when I was young, I asked her if I had big ears and she said, “No, but you have a wide nose.”

[tekdragon]

I'm really sorry for your loss, LJ.

I'm also really appreciative of your post. It couldn't have come at a better time for me personally, as I'm headed to San Antonio to visit my grandparents this weekend. I'll make damn sure it's a time for celebration for me, and I'll definitely be thinking about you and your family.

Just know that you're surrounded by people who are genuinely touched by your words and actions every day (I count myself among them, especially today), and those people are always there to support you should you need them. Your grandmother will always be watching over you. And smiling. Proudly.

[KEDA]

L J


They just put my grandfather in a ho e facility due to his bout with cancer, I can empathise with you as many of the feelings and emotions that you are going through I am having them as well. I give my sincerest condolences to you and your family.

If there is anything that you need, let me or Krista know.

and I might call on you for some advice, since our situations are so similar.

[FromWayDowntown]

My condolences to all; the stories are all moving and poignant.

I had the great fortune to have all of my grandparents alive into my late-20's, and most of them alive into my early-30's. It was such a blessing to not only have the moments that develop in a child-to-grandparent relationship, but also to partake of their wisdom about the ways of the world in an adult relationship. Now that all of my grandparents are dead -- now that I'm able to only think about them and recall those wonderful times -- I'm more convinced than ever that I got the greatest gift from all of them: a shared life. Nothing will ever take that from me and I'll never, ever let that go; I miss all of them, every single day.

[red kryptonite]

your Grandmother sounds like the type of person that is tough, durable, and honest - a very rare fiber in today's world. I'm sorry to learn that she is gone, but it is good to know that her legacy will continue.

[MI21]

Sorry about that timvp. I've lost 2 of my grandparents, not an easy time. Condolences.

I'm willing to bet Timvp's grandmother is talking with Biggie right now about how much rap sucks today.

Good one. She should be haunting Peter Holt for trading Malik too

[JoeChalupa]

Sorry to hear about your loss LJ.

I lost mine over 25 years ago and still remember them like it was yesterday.

My kids will agree that grandparents ROCK!!

[Munchelen]

Sorry to hear about your loss LJ.

I have been living up at BAMC since last friday with my grandfather. He was in a major car accident and has been in critical condition. While reading
all of these posts the phone rang and it was the Doctors saying that
they have moved my grandfather from ICU into his own room! He is
holding his own and giving them ! In my brain I was getting ready for the
worst but in my heart I knew he was going to make it! I now have to
get my sick butt up and go back down there to warn the new nurses that
if they are female (most of his have been male thank God!) to not get to
close to his hands.....he likes to give lots of lovin!

[pseudofan]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss LJ.

I never knew my grandparents very well. My mother's mom died of breast cancer when she was 16. Her dad never really had anything to do with us. I think I saw him a total of three times in my life and one of those times was at his funeral. My dad's dad died when I was very young, he had intestinal cancer. And my dad's mom died only a few years ago, but she didn't speak english so we never communicated very well. Besides, she had 12 kids and like 100 grandkids, so not getting to know us was not a loss for her in her opinion.

You are lucky to have had the years of love and support from your grandmother that you had.

[tlongII]

My grandmother and I never got along. She's been dead about 15 years now.