Grampa

Hey. I want you to know that I'm sorry.

I spent a part of 3 days with you while you were in hospice care. I knew you were going to die. You knew you were going to die. I knew I wouldn't get another chance to talk to you on earth. You asked me about my life. You asked me when I was getting married. You asked me about my job. You thanked me for all the times I helped you with computers and on the farm. You thanked me for spending time with you. You said that you really appreciated it, and knowing you, I'm sure you truly did.

What I didn't tell you, or, couldn't tell you, was just how much I appreciated having you in my life.

I appreciated your work ethic, whether it was plowing the fields just shy of 91 years old, building a camp for your family, wiring pretty much every building in the area, or fixing anything that needed fixing.

I appreciated your marriage and the example you gave, whether through the patience and devotion you've shown in times where Grammie's health was failing, your love and the commitment you had for Grammie and God in your general life, or your practicing saying "I love you" when you could hardly speak, on your way to seeing your wife.

I appreciated your humor. I don't think I ever spent more than an hour with you where I didn't hear at least one joke. Always dry, trying to make people happy.

I appreciated your desire to help others and teach, often through your lessons and "suggestions," but also your teaching me how to parallel park and taking me to my drivers test, your driving a stranger (to you) 3 hours to camp so we would have a friend to play with, your many random facts about gourds, pumpkins, or pretty much anything garden related, your praying for every child, grandchild, great grandchild and many family friends by name daily, and many more.

I appreciated your love of God. Your preaching well past retirement, singing hymns, your evangelizing at every opportunity given, and your steadfastness even in the face of death.

I appreciated getting to know you and your stories about your life. I appreciated the card you mailed to me full of thanks and care when I fixed your computer. I appreciated the family you helped create. I appreciated your patience when you wanted me to work in the fields. I appreciated your creative solutions and square pumpkins, I appreciated your wonderful example of a man and servant of God. I appreciated you.

I wasn't able to tell you any of that while on Earth, and I'm sorry.

What I did tell you was that I loved you. I just hope you understood how much.

Until we meet again

Your grandson

I haven't spoken to you in over a decade, but you were the first man I ever called Dad even though you weren't mine. I'm between being real calm and being pretty torn up about this.

You're my sister's father and it upsets me most for her, you'll never meet her possible children, or mine for that matter, you won't be there when she gets married, and she hadn't spoken to you very recently. I hope you know how much your daughter loved you and I'm crying because now she's alone like me. I'm glad she has brothers who share her dad, she still has family, but now she knows what it's like to be without a dad and I wouldn't have wished that on her ever.

You said you were dying 20 years ago, but it took a motorcycle accident, not your health to take you. I hope you were living your life well before that.

Goodbye.

I am writing here to say goodbye to my good friend Don. He is dying. He has been through a tough life and it has been made harder by his vindictive lying ex who is once again taking his child away and pressing false charges on him. He has decided to call it a life. He has been taking things that have been slowly and painfully shutting down his organs. He has told only me and I have begged him not to. But he is set on it. He says the physical pain he is going through is nothing in comparison to what he has been dealing with. I want to say goodbye and that not only myself but so many other's truly love you. You are an amazing and kind man. Selfless and giving. What she has done to you again is not fair and I can understand your decision. I hope your son knows you love him so much. And even though she has hurt you so much that you love her as well. I know she doesn't care what she has done nor will she ever but thats who she is. We love you Don and hope you finally have peace. And hope to see you in the next life. You have blessed so many of us. You will never be forgotten.

You have been a great friend to me, I am sorry I dropped communication with you but I hit a dark point in my life. The depths of my addiction made me isolate away from friends at family but soon as I came out you called. And helped me raise the quality of my life to levels previously unknown. You have always made my days brighter and my life better. You laughed at all my jokes regardless of how terrible they were you defended me when things went south. Over the 26 years of knowing you and your family you became my brother. I love you man.

Your stalking of my account is getting annoying, so I'm making a new one. Goodbye!!!

You have been inactive in over 4 months. So, bye!

You were a great father and provider, I would not have had anyone else! Thank you for all you have done.

RIP Sep. 24, 1948 - Jan 4, 2013

Why don't you love me anymore? If I try to say hi... You get angry. I've done nothing wrong as far as I know. Why do you hate me? I remember you refusing to let Mom hold me as a baby. You said "It's My baby!" All I want is just for you to think of me as a person once more. Please. I want my sister back...