November 11, 2013, Veteran's Day, Nashville, TN., 2:40 p.m., C.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Ronee' here.  Just trying to cope: my grandfather, Armand Pierre Moliere', died Saturday night after we got back from the Veteran's Day tribute at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.  He was 90 years old, and he was a Veteran of the Second World War, having served in the US Army-Air Corps (pre Air Force) in the 1940's.

He died peacefully, according to Maman; she went to check on him very early Sunday morning, and he was cold and not breathing.  Maman knew immediately that he was gone.

I can't believe it.  Grandpere' Armand has been a part of my life since I can remember.  Now he's gone, and I am left reeling.

The wake was last night and again tonight at our church.  Then afterwards, they will fly his body down to Lafayette, Louisiana, where he will be buried (in Breaux Bridge), next to his first wife, my grandmother (and Maman's mom).  Immediately after the wake, Michael and I (and a lot of the family) will be flying down to Louisiana for the funeral, which is tomorrow afternoon.  We'll probably be in Louisiana for a few days.

I don't think I have any tears left; I don't know when I've cried so much, but then I think about Grandpere', and they start right back up.  My eyes feel like sandpaper, and I know they must be red and swollen.  I know I must look a fright to people.  I try to eat, but I don't have much of an appetite, but know I must eat to keep up.  I need the strength and energy to get through this.

I just thank God my family and Michael are with me.  I don't know what I would do without them.  My family is my rock; they have been with me through thick and thin, and I hope I have been there for them whenever they needed me.  I also thank God that my grandfather was a Christian; he truly loved the Lord and loved spoiling the grandkids like nobody else's business!

I know this upcoming Thanksgiving (and Christmas) season will be extremely tough on our family, but I know with God's help, we WILL get through this period of grief and sadness.  Just keep us in your prayers; we could really use them!  Thanks and God bless!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Ronee' Le-Anne Stinkowitz.  :( *Tears!*