Marn's gramps has been in and out of the hospital for the last 2 months, had been on an oxygen tank for that time period. His health was deteriorating quickly. We had all accepted Grandpa was on his last few months, he was ready to pass, had lived an amazing life and was sick of being sick. He was in the hospital the week before x mas. Fitting we had dinner at Bumper's Friday night with him being in great spirits. Seth sure put a huge smile on his face, that night his smile seemed even larger seeing little Seth running around the restaurant.
Tuesday afternoon, Christie asked Marn and I to drive to Gramps to check on him. Waiting in the van with Seth, Marn walked into his house and came running out seconds later.
Don't want to expand on this, but we unfortunately found Grandpa laying on the ground beside his bed, maybe passed for 3 hours at that point. He was white with a puffed up face, I tried CPR but it was too late.
It was truly the most horrific site I have ever seen. I wished Marnie did not have to see that, why did I not go in to check on him instead?
Marnie has been having a number of flashes in her mind, especially at night. This is something we will both have to work together on, not sure how to cope exactly.
Bunty happened to be driving up from Creston that afternoon and Lynn flying in the next day from Ontario - coming out for x mas anyways. Those must have been the hardest phone calls to make by Christie to them relaying that their dad had passed.
Was comforting to have all the family out, all cousins flew out.
The memorial was shoulder to shoulder at the Seniors center, hundreds of banffites reminiscing stories.
I was fortunate to have spent 8 years knowing him. His stories (even though repeated hundred times over :) )from 3 years as a POW in Germany after being shot down, to the good old days in Banff, no book could tell.
Fond memory was always offered a rum and coke within 1 minute of arriving at his house, like clockwork.
He is now where he wishes to be, with Burn.
Seth will be fortunate to have "known" his great gramps for over a year. Special to have the photos of them together during his 1st B day.
