Until We Meet Again

Well, this very well may have been one of the roughest weeks I've ever had. My grandpa has been pretty sick for a few months now, but I didn't realize how serious it was until about a week ago. It just went downhill really fast. I knew it was going to be within the next few weeks, but I wasn't really sure when exactly it would be. (I know I'm not supposed to use the word "it" until it has been clarified what "it" actually is, but I don't care right now...plus, I'm pretty sure you can figure it out.) I called my grandma on Tuesday, and he was actually awake, and so I got to talk to him. Grandma said that it would probably just be a one-sided conversation because he's not very coherent anymore. So when I called, I fully expected to just say what I wanted to say and that he wouldn't be talking back. But, he actually turned out to be pretty coherent and was able to hold a pretty decent conversation with me. Of course, that actually made it harder because I knew I was hearing his voice for the last time. I just kept telling him that I love him, and that I am so grateful to be his granddaughter and that he has been such a wonderful grandpa to me. He told me that he loved me over and over and that I was "such a beautiful granddaughter." Of course that made me cry, and then it was harder for me to keep talking. It made me sad because I couldn't understand everything he was saying. I am so grateful I was able to have that last conversation with him.

One thing that I am extremely grateful for is the fact that I was able to spend about four or five days with him about a month ago. At that time, I didn't have any idea that he would be going so soon. My cousin got married about a month ago, which was right before school started for me. So, him, grandma, and my uncle drove out to Utah with me and my mom. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I would just joke with him all the time about how we had to stop at every single rest stop. He said it was because of this medicine he was taking, but I joked otherwise. He is seriously such an amazing man. I remember him coming and babysitting us when my parents were out of town, and he would just go over and talk to the neighbors as if he was best friends with them already. He would do his missionary work at all times. I remember him just deciding to go and trim our tree branches just because he felt like it. I remember him playing basketball with us and falling and ripping the knee to his pants, but he didn't care. He just kept playing with us. He would always grow the best raspberries and let us eat ALL of them every single time we came over. He loved to tell us how beautiful and handsome we were, and he was always smiling. He had such a strong testimony, and even though he passed away this morning, I know I'll be able to see him again someday. It's just hard right now. This is the first time someone close to me has died. I love you, grandpa. I'll be seeing you.