The day that my Grandfather died, on Momma’s side of the family, all of the grandchildren, we gathered in Gramp’s room. That is the precious moments I remember in all my visits to the hospital, and I have been to the hospital 43 times in 34 years! He died in September 1997. I remember it vividly for I had just had my brainstem surgery and was recuperating.
Gramps had been battling prostate cancer and had been going to radiation treatments every day with the weekends off. Suddenly, he suffered a stroke and Granny took him to the Emergency room in Irving. He lay in a coma for a while because my Momma was in Minnesota visiting her eldest daughter, Anna and her second son, Matthew, who was then a month old. Uncle John had already passed on in 1990. Aunt Karen came to the hospital but she said later, after Gramps had died, she thought he was going to get well after each visit so she did not worry. She finally asked my Momma “He is going to get better, right?” Momma said, “No, Karen. This is the end.” Momma said Karen just about lost it!
Granny called me while I was home alone with the dogs keeping me company with Momma in Minnesota. She told me of Gramps and I came to the Hospital right away!
To be honest, I took one look at him, and knew he would die in a matter of days, maybe one week at most. I drew on my medical technological training, and the fact that Momma and Aunt Karen wanted me to slip out and try and listen to the Doctor say anything about Gramps and his condition! They were so worried and I felt so bad for them!
Everyone had seen Gramps, except Cousin Michael I believe. Gramps had taken Michael in under his wings and really taught him many things and treated him like his own son! So, on a Sunday, with Kristina, Julie and I, Momma, Karen and Sonny, Granny and then at last Cousin Michael walked in to lay a kiss on Gramps.
The Exact Moment that happened, you could see the hardship leave Gramps’ body. A wave of peace just over took him and we were all around him. He was still unconscious and they pulled the tube out of his airway. He kept on breathing! We were all very astonished! He could breathe on his own! What would this mean for Granny! Would she have to put him in a nursing home? We all gave Granny a kiss and then left.
Gramps died with Granny going to find a cup of coffee about 3 hours later. He always was a private man.
Written November 18th, 2004 at 11:43pm CST, by Becca E Henry
All rights reserved!
I was fortunate enough to have seen and spent time with my great-grandparents on my mother's side, and my great-grandmother on my father's side; plus a grandmother; and a grandfather! Thank you for this deeply sensitive and beautiful story!!
Blessings,
Robert
God Bless
And thank you for sharing your memories
Michelle~