Grandpa Nelson passed away this afternoon at 3:08pm.
Most of the family was there. It's very rare that I see all my family in one little room, so it was all pretty special.
For the first while, he was breathing loudly and heavily. Kate kept saying, "He's tired. He's sleeping." His breathing patterns soon slowed and became softer. We knew he would be leaving us soon. We all took turns saying our good-byes. Grandma, Lori, and Dad all gave him permission to go. Aside from telling him that she 'loved him with all of her heart,' Grandma kept saying, "I'll be along soon, Bruce. I'll be along." As his breathing slowed, we all stood around his bed holding his hands, right up until he took his last breath.
It was all very numbing after he left. It was like the only thing that mattered was that very moment.
I told Kate I needed to give Grandpa a kiss, and she insisted that she, too, needed to give him one. I held her up and we both took our turns giving him one last kiss.
I was sure she had no idea what was going on, but in the elevator Kate said, "Grandpa's gone," in the most cheerful, little girl voice you've ever heard. I can't be sure she was actually talking about Grandpa Nelson, or maybe just about her Papa Lyle. But it did make me wonder if she had more insight than the rest of us did as to what had just happened.
While I wish the whole family could have been there, it was still a sweet and memorable experience; just the way it should have been. We love you Grandpa, and Grandma too. Hopefully we can take good care of her even though he's gone.
Thanks Dren, my cousin Rachael, Uncle Jeff, Mom, Dad and everyone else for entertaining Kate. I was glad Kate and I could be there to help send him on his way. I was also so glad to be a part of such a spiritual experience with so much of my family.
Most of the family was there. It's very rare that I see all my family in one little room, so it was all pretty special.
For the first while, he was breathing loudly and heavily. Kate kept saying, "He's tired. He's sleeping." His breathing patterns soon slowed and became softer. We knew he would be leaving us soon. We all took turns saying our good-byes. Grandma, Lori, and Dad all gave him permission to go. Aside from telling him that she 'loved him with all of her heart,' Grandma kept saying, "I'll be along soon, Bruce. I'll be along." As his breathing slowed, we all stood around his bed holding his hands, right up until he took his last breath.
It was all very numbing after he left. It was like the only thing that mattered was that very moment.
I told Kate I needed to give Grandpa a kiss, and she insisted that she, too, needed to give him one. I held her up and we both took our turns giving him one last kiss.
I was sure she had no idea what was going on, but in the elevator Kate said, "Grandpa's gone," in the most cheerful, little girl voice you've ever heard. I can't be sure she was actually talking about Grandpa Nelson, or maybe just about her Papa Lyle. But it did make me wonder if she had more insight than the rest of us did as to what had just happened.
While I wish the whole family could have been there, it was still a sweet and memorable experience; just the way it should have been. We love you Grandpa, and Grandma too. Hopefully we can take good care of her even though he's gone.
Thanks Dren, my cousin Rachael, Uncle Jeff, Mom, Dad and everyone else for entertaining Kate. I was glad Kate and I could be there to help send him on his way. I was also so glad to be a part of such a spiritual experience with so much of my family.
Grandma & Grandpa Nelson
I copied these picture from Kelly's & Rachael's blogs. The two of them are much better at taking pictures and documenting important things. I just had to have a copy too...maybe this will inspire me to do better in the future.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being there with everyone today. You told about the day beautifully...I wish I could have written it as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet way to record that event. Kate will love that you wrote about that so she can read it when she is older. I am sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteK-- now I'm crying. Grandpa Nelson was one of a kind, and as it turns out, he was right...I don't like fishing at all and would have hated it even if I had gotten the chance. That's very special that you got to be there when it all happened.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your grandpa. That really is so nice you got to say good-bye.
ReplyDeleteAshley, of course it is no problam...any pictures I share can be enjoyed by family and friends. But I do appreciate the credit when due so thank you. I will be posting a lot of pics...I went around Grandma's house and took pictures of some of Grandpa's art work that remains there, which isn't much that Grandma said I could post so that everyone has a copy.
ReplyDeleteAish, again I am sorry about your loss. I will never forget our stay with your grandparents, they truly are sweet people. Glad you were able to be there though!
ReplyDeleteYour post made me cry! I'm just a big bawl baby I guess... I was sad to hear that your grandpa died. I remember seeing him at your house when I was little and he was always such a sweetheart. Jordan's grandpa died that same week and left behind his grandma. I can't imagine having to say goodbye to someone that you have shared everything with for so long! It breaks my heart. I guess that's why it made me cry ha. Anyways, I just wanted to say hello! I love you guys.
ReplyDelete