Wednesday 28 January 2009

Harry

my Grandad slipped away suddenly on Monday morning......

he was in hospital but doing really well, preparing to return to his flat, chatting, making jokes and no doubt being a little cheeky.....

he slipped quietly from this world to the next all alone
between the times that the wonderful nurses checked him
knowing my Grandad it would be as he would have wanted
no fuss
not bothering anyone
just slipped away to join his wife, my wonderful Nana......

the sadness my family is feeling is overwhelming, as any loss is....
he was the head of our family
the person we all worried about as he aged, always talked about, always loved.....

the last few days i have struggled to remember the last time i spoke to him, the last time i wrapped my arms around him knowing that they would not reach .....
that my finger tips would not touch each other
he had a very round tummy
like Santa.......

my family are close but my grandad, then my own Mama, and then me are all the same..
all hopeless at talking on the phone
opting instead for letters, texts and emails
a family trait that i now realise is a trait that must be wiped away...
sadly too late now

growing up my Nana and Grandad were "home" for me
the place that i felt most loved
the place where i was safe and secure
growing up i could think of no better place to be.....

knowing that i no longer have them is so painful but i know that they will now be together

i hope that they have found each other and are holding each other close
dancing and kissing like i remember them doing in the kitchen .....
watching their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, knowing how much we all love them and miss them so very much
waiting for us to join them over time

our family will never be the same, but it will move on....
together

Harry
Dad
Grandad

we love you and hope that you are safe and happy with the love of your life - your Olive x

t x

40 comments:

April said...

what beautiful words, so sorry for your loss.

Thinking of you

April xx

homemade said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
homemade said...

HI
very very sorry about your grandfather.
read this
http://www.math.miami.edu/~jason/gibran/gibran/prophet_ch26.html
Maybe you know these prose already. They really helped me last year when I experienced the loss of 2 very close friends.
with all best wishes

Ros x

Anonymous said...

So sorry Tracy, it's hard when we lose someone we love.

the pig lady said...

I am so sorry, I hope that the sun shine peeks through the dark clouds soon and instead of the awful feeling of loss you can feel the happiness you have obviously brought each other over the years. Thinking of you. Debs x

LinenandRoses said...

Oh Tracy I am so very sorry to hear your sad news. Losing a loved Grandparent is so very hard. I miss all four of mine and think about them a lot. The words you have written here are beautiful. Thinking of you and your family at this sad time. Fiona x

JacquiMcR said...

Im so sorry for your loss. My nan is 96 and although now failing I cannot contemplate life without her. It sounds as if your grandad was a great man and much loved. Take care - jacqui

Primrose Hill said...

Thinking of you at this sad time and sending you a big hug.
L x

DriveAway said...

Thankyou my beautiful girl,auntie Min is home and we read your loverly words together,we,as you did,thought of Nan&Grandad dancing &kissing in the kitchen.we know they would have found each other because they have never really been apart,Grandad talked to Nan everyday. We love you very much,
See you soon.
Mummyxxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandad. Thinking of you and your family at this very sad time.X

walter and me said...

Tracy, I'm so very sorry to hear your sad news. Hope you find some strength as you gather together with your family. May you all be sustained by your many happy memories.
with love,
Diana xx

mollycupcakes said...

Tracy , I'm we are so sorry for your loss and want you to know we are thinking of you. If you need anything please don't hesertate to pick up the phone or email. Even if it's just to talk, I'm here for you my sweet, sweet friend.
May your wonderful memories help you through this sad time. And know they are watching over you everyday together.
Lots of love and hugs.
Catherine, Ben and the cupcakes x x x

prettyshabby said...

what a lovely,if very sad,post.
I adored my grandpa and really feel for you and your family, knowing how much it hurts to loose someone who seems to have been around forever.
He sounded like a lovely chap.
x

Emma Herian said...

So sad to hear about your Grandad, Tracy.
Family are so important to me and I can see that it is to you too.
You have such lovely memories to keep hold of.
Take care
Emx

Vintage to Victorian said...

So sorry, Tracy. You have written straight from the heart and it shows. Beautiful words. What a wonderful family you have had for so many years. You have been incredibly lucky to reach the age you are with a living grandparent, although I'm sure you don't feel particularly lucky just at this moment. I was 18 when my last grandparent died, and Hannah only ever knew one of hers.

Lovely words from your Mum, too.

Sue xx

Melinda said...

You have a wonderful way with words. Sorry for your loss.

lynn said...

bless you ...it is the circle of life.. and it is very ,very hard to comprehend sometimes ..lynnie

The Odd Bird said...

I've been following your blog for a while now and am always eager to read what is going on in your life. I'm so sorry though now to read of your loss. My thoughts are with you. Hugs...

acrossthepond said...

Ahhh.....my thoughts are with you....so sad.

weebug said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Hold on to those sweet memories.

Pipany said...

Oh I'm so sorry Tracy. How sad for all of you left behind. Much love to you honey xxx

tam said...

Awww I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet granddad! Thank you for shring your precious memories with us. ~Tam

Unknown said...

How sad, but your words are a beautiful tribute to him, I wish you comfort.

tess said...

so sorry, thinking of you. xx

crazyjane said...

so sorry for your loss

andsewtosleep said...

I am so sad for your loss. My heart too is breaking. I lost my beautiful mother suddenly on the 10th January. I cry as I write this and wonder how I will ever pick up the pieces and move forward. Take care and hold tight.
Mary

OhSoVintage said...

So sorry for your loss, he was obviously a very special person.

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

What a lovely tibute to your Granddad. So sorry for your loss and thinking of you.

Mary

Anonymous said...

So sorry for your loss Tracy, my thoughts are with you at this heartbreaking time,love Lesley xxx

Alexandra said...

So sorry about your sad news.

Rubyred said...

So sorry for your loss Tracy.Memories are a wonderful thing and you'll always have those.Thinking of you,
Rachel x

Katie twinkles said...

So lovely to think of them together. I do believe this will be the case. I had a family funeral yesterday. Its such a major event when someone so special is gone, I know :-))Enjoy your memories and all the reminiscing, it will help x

Katie twinkles said...

So lovely to think of them together. I do believe this will be the case. I had a family funeral yesterday. Its such a major event when someone so special is gone, I know :-))Enjoy your memories and all the reminiscing, it will help x

Kitty said...

Oh crikey, I've only just seen this. I'm so sorry to read of your loss Tracy. Please know you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. x

Anonymous said...

Dearest Tracy
I am so sorry to hear about your grandfather. Your words are just perfect, they say it all. He has gone as he wished and will be in a happier place. Your memories of him will be with you forever, he will always be there. My Dad died 4 years ago but he is still with me and l still talk to him in my mind. Be strong and remember the joy.
love
Karon x

texcinlulu said...

So sorry to hear of your loss.May you find comfort in your memories.
Grandparents are very special in our lives.
Take care.
Cindy

Jane said...

I am so sorry to hear of your sad news Tracy, but i know how you feel as i was close to my Granny thro' childhood and devasted when she died 16 years ago. We are all thinking of you, hugs Jane x

Anonymous said...

I'm sure she was waiting right there for him when he arrived. Happy for him but so sad for you and those he left behind.

dragonfly said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.

'slipped away' sounds so dignified.

Thinking of you... x

Anonymous said...

Dear Tracy
I only just found out about this, lackadaisical blogger that I am, and I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you and your family. But you know, all the good in him lives on in you - and can be kept alive by the tales you tell about him. That's what I believe, anyway.
Much love from us down on the snowy south coast
xx Elspeth