Our lives changed in August when he got sick... I think we all knew then that life as we had be used to, meaning my grandparents were completely independent, driving, caring for Gia, and two of the sweetest, selfless individuals you would ever know, felt like it changed overnight.. they have always been pretty private people, but they literally would do anything for anyone... and that unfortunately led to my Grandpa's battle that he just couldn't recover from. He got sick and kept putting off going to the doctor until ultimately his body was full of infection. I don't think anyone thought he would pass away as quickly as he did, less than 3 months from his first hospital stay, but it's what God had in His plans, and we know we have to trust in that. We know my Grandpa went above and beyond in caring for my Grandma for the last few years, so much so we all we pretty blindsided at how much care she required on a daily basis. She couldn't be left alone for safety reasons and we all found ourselves trying to accept that everything was changing. We made a quick decision and enrolled Gia in daycare... we never would have thought she would be starting both preschool and daycare a week apart, but that's life... It took a while for her to get adjusted, but it's all good now. I could never even describe how grateful we are that my Grandparents took care of her for these 3 1/2 years... I know it was good for them as well, but it's something I will treasure forever. Gia's relationship with my grandpa, she called him Papa, was truly unique. She was his doll baby and I know that was probably the hardest part for him about getting sick was accepting he wouldn't see her as often as our usual routine, and ultimately that he wouldn't be seeing her until we are all in heaven together someday. About a month before he died anytime we would leave he would cry for her so much... it was heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time until we realized he knew something we didn't.. he was a hard patient to assess being as he would always say he was fine, but clearly he was not. I think deep down he knew that each time we left might be the last time he saw Gia. My mom had prepared us all and expressed how she felt he probably wouldn't be around for another year... so I think even knowing that we all just really tried to make the most of any time and situation we had... a standout is the birthday party we had for him and Clark at the care center on their birthda, October 20th... Clark turned 30 and my Grandpa turned 82.. another blessing is my grandparents got to celebrate their 62nd anniversary on November 6th and they got to spend the last 2 1/2 weeks of my grandpas life lviing together in the new assisted living apartment... we all wanted them to be together again and even though is was a shorter than we had guessed it's still something we will always be thankful for... I miss him so much.. {especially even at this very moment as I'm sitting at home with an ice storm outside knowing he would have been calling on me throughout the day to make sure we were alright..} and even though this has been really hard, I can still find things to be thankful for... it's been almost exactly two months since he passed away and I know no one will be the same, especially my grandma... I know that as we grow as people, a family, and through our faith God will continue to hold us in his loving arms just as He has shown us His presence this entire time... I took a lot of pictures while he was in the hospital and care center, and eventually their assisted living apartment... I will be forever grateful for taking time with my grandparents... every Thursday night at gilliganz, and the long visits wherever grandpa was... nothing about this was easy, but through my grandpas death I think we have all been changed and I know he would be really proud of that.
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