Last summer I was touched to see Grandpa hold Ann. He sure held a lot of babies in his lifetime! He just looked very peaceful and she slept happily. I remember he held her for a long time at her baptism party. Just a week ago, he came to celebrate Cate's 5th birthday with us - yes, he was moving slowly, and had his new oxygen tank with him. But he and Nanny came. He drank wine, ate dinner, and told me my rum cake was good. He asked Matt about his job, and how his parents' visit was. These past few months, I have tried to drop by their house more regularly with the girls after Cate's gymnastics class. I think I only actually made it twice. Just on my last visit, Grandpa was going to make me espresso, but his machine would not work. I am tickled that he liked to make me espresso when I came over. And it was always so GOOD. Jane got really concerned about a month ago when grandpa's elbow was hurting him badly. "He should see the doctor and get some medicine." She also thinks Nanny must be "really sad" now. I was deeply honored to sit next to Nanny and cry with her just a short while after grandpa died this afternoon. I brought little Ann, and Nanny loved seeing a baby, as did several of the aunts and uncles. I am so happy that Grandpa died at home, surrounded by people he loved, on this beautiful Easter Monday. I am thankful to him for taking the time to come to our family birthday parties, and for coming to see me in the hospital after the births of Cate and Ann - he really showed us how important and special we were to him. Lord, welcome him home.
