Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Gramps


when gramps was told a few weeks ago that he has stage 3 colon cancer and must begin chemotherapy right away, the doctor asked him if he had any "big dates" planned in the near future. "yes", he replied in his gruff voice, "i need to take my granddaughter to babies r us in november". i am not his biological granddaughter; i am merely married to his grandson. however, from the moment i first met him, i felt welcomed into the family with open arms.
gramps is a special guy. he has played a very influential role in josh's life and josh has played a very influential role in his. it was josh's near brush with death 10 years ago that caused gramps to realize that God really does exist and he has been a believer ever since. gramps proudly stood at the end of the aisle as one of josh's groomsmen at our wedding. when you talk with gramps, you can't help but feel a grin spread across your face. "get outta dodge!" is an exclamation he uses so much you'd think that he was the one who coined it. at christmas time, he says over and over while opening gifts, "well, i'll be! i was just going to run out and get me one of those" or "i was almost out of this and now i'm all set" even if he has about a million of whatever it is stock piled in his trailer. he is very concious of making you feel as if your gift to him was the best one he received. when josh and i told him that we were expecting his third great-grandchild, he stood up and nearly danced a jig, he was so thrilled. i believe his exact words were "HOT DOG!"
on friday i had the priviledge of spending the morning with gramps on our "date". i had never been to a babies r us store and when i walked in the door, i nearly got tears in my eyes, everything was so beautiful. we grabbed a shopping cart and started at one end of the store and made our way all the way around until the cart was laden with baby gear of all kinds. we got diapers and wipes, crib sheets and burp cloths, baby powder and bibs. we had so much FUN. my favorite items were the sweetest little lamp with baseball gear propped up against the base, and a shelf with hooks for the wall that is shaped like a baseball bat. at the checkout, i gulped as the items added up so quickly, but gramps didn't bat an eye as he wrote out the check...he just grinned. afterwards, he took me out for breakfast at mimi's cafe and we talked and laughed and i was so excited to show josh everything.
his recent diagnosis was obviously a blow to our entire family, but we were told that with chemotherapy, he has a good chance of another 5 years. our prayer is that God will grant him enough years on this earth for tristan to not only get to meet his awesome great-gramps, but that he will also remember him. we would also appreciate your prayers as he begins treatment. right now he is so up-beat and ready to fight this thing. we pray that his attitude does not change.
i love you, gramps.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

With tears in my eyes, I am proud to say that I know Gramps too and have loved him from the moment I first met him. God has blessed you with a wonderful other family Heidi and that is an answer to prayer. Bless Gramps, my prayers are with him. Love Mom

Aimee said...

What a beautiful and honoring post you've written for gramps. I don't even know him and I got tears too. May you enjoy many more great memory making times with Gramps.

Aimee

ps. 30wks! You are in the final stretch - so exciting. Can you imagine that you will meet Tristan soon and put those tiny diapers on him? Blessings on the end of your pregnancy. So glad to hear that your blood sugar levels are fine. Enjoy thanksgiving!

Anonymous said...

I will continue to pray for Gramps. Chemo is not a fun thing. My family has been through alot of cancers, unfortunatly. He sounds like a wonderful man and I pray you will have many more years together. God Bless!

Jennifer said...

...and see, I didn't tear up until I read Aunt Judy's comment. It was the second sentance that did it too me.
Course I'll pray for gramps.

Lee said...

that picture really captures him. I only met him once, on your wedding weekend, but what a sweet, warm and easy to talk to Gramps! Praying for him...

Sarafina said...

What a treasure to have such a Gramps...he sounds very special. Your shopping trip with him sounds like a lot of fun, what great memories. I'll be praying too (0:

L&D said...

So beautiful my dear....your words, your heart, your obvious love and adoration for gramps. I will be praying for him and his family (you included) as cancer affects the entire family, not just the one person diagnosed.

Z-Mama said...

You made me cry...Awe...I love Gramps!

Lovella ♥ said...

After I read your post last night I felt both joy and sadness. What a blessing to have such a wonderful Gramps. This morning at 5:00 I woke up and prayed for you and Gramps.
Blessings,

kelly ens said...

so sweet - his actions and your words.

Cherie said...

we are praying... in the land of the haggis...

Talk of the Town said...

Oh! Gramps sounds so sweet. I love the picture of him too. He seems to be so proud of you and Josh - what a great Gramps. I will pray.

Lee said...

I would like to lodge a complaint. Is this the right department?
On your recent post list the oldest is Sept 24, your 6 month post, to the latest, Nov 9, I think. I want more. More posts, more info, even if you think its boring or unexciting, we love it. Its not right what you are doing. Blog starving us...
hahahahah
but really Heids, you are a literary genuise (sp) get typing girl!!

Anonymous said...

Heidi, what a wonderful tribute to Gramps! He is a love as are you! So glad Chris forwarded this to me, so I could catch up on what you've been up to! See you in 2 weeks........Hey, Miss Heidi, you should have told me to bring you custard...Josh only told me about the pancake mix! I'll put it on the grocery list for Sainsbury's/Tesco for next trip! xoxoLinda in 1000 Oaks