In my family on my Mothers side our fearless leader has always been my Grandfather James McLeod. A man with an adventurous spirit, and a strong will, he has lead our family on many adventures. From the highlands of Scotland to the mountains of Arizona my grandfather has fearlessly lead us. This morning my Grandfather left us for his eternal home with the Lord, and we are left to continue on with the adventure. For several months my grandfather's health had been failing, so we all knew that this was coming but some how it was still a surprise. I guess I had been holding out hope that he would return to health and lead us on one more adventure, but it was not to be. The last time I visited with Grandpa was in mid April with my mom and my sister. Grandpa was in a rehab place and he was ill but by the grace of God he was still the Grandpa my sister and I remembered. He looked a little bit thinner and more tired but his spirit was still strong, we had hope. We were able to sit with him and reminisce, hear stories from the past and talk about the future, his and ours. Anwen was with me and I was able to watch as she interacted with Grandpa and was able to witness the joy that she brought to him. My sister and I were able to help care for him, it was an honor to be able to do so. We joked, and laughed and cried and prayed, it was amazing, it was a blessing. A few weeks later after our visit had ended Grandpa really started going down hill, his body was tired and weakening and his mind was confused, his lucid moments were becoming fewer and fewer, he was slipping away. As grandpa's health deteriorated my sister and I came to realize that we had been blessed with a visit that's timing was perfect, we were able to be with him and him with us while he remembered. We were able to make a few more memories for him and for ourselves, and those will have to last the rest of our lives. His stories will live inside of us, as will our memories of him. Tonight I will raise a glass of Tamnavulin single malt scotch to my Grandpa, and savor the smell that reminds me of him.
In my family on my Mothers side our fearless leader has always been my Grandfather James McLeod. A man with an adventurous spirit, and a strong will, he has lead our family on many adventures. From the highlands of Scotland to the mountains of Arizona my grandfather has fearlessly lead us. This morning my Grandfather left us for his eternal home with the Lord, and we are left to continue on with the adventure. For several months my grandfather's health had been failing, so we all knew that this was coming but some how it was still a surprise. I guess I had been holding out hope that he would return to health and lead us on one more adventure, but it was not to be. The last time I visited with Grandpa was in mid April with my mom and my sister. Grandpa was in a rehab place and he was ill but by the grace of God he was still the Grandpa my sister and I remembered. He looked a little bit thinner and more tired but his spirit was still strong, we had hope. We were able to sit with him and reminisce, hear stories from the past and talk about the future, his and ours. Anwen was with me and I was able to watch as she interacted with Grandpa and was able to witness the joy that she brought to him. My sister and I were able to help care for him, it was an honor to be able to do so. We joked, and laughed and cried and prayed, it was amazing, it was a blessing. A few weeks later after our visit had ended Grandpa really started going down hill, his body was tired and weakening and his mind was confused, his lucid moments were becoming fewer and fewer, he was slipping away. As grandpa's health deteriorated my sister and I came to realize that we had been blessed with a visit that's timing was perfect, we were able to be with him and him with us while he remembered. We were able to make a few more memories for him and for ourselves, and those will have to last the rest of our lives. His stories will live inside of us, as will our memories of him. Tonight I will raise a glass of Tamnavulin single malt scotch to my Grandpa, and savor the smell that reminds me of him.
0 comments on "Our fearless leader"
Post a Comment