The day I knew was coming, has come.............

[ww2farmer]

My grandpa, who was 86, passed away last night in the hospital, after a long 4-5 year struggle following a stroke, a battle with alzheimers, and parkinsons. It's been a long couple years for all of us after he had a stroke 4-5 years ago. My aunt's, and mother (while she was still alive) took care of the inside the house stuff........like the cooking for him, cleaning, making sure he had his meds. and got to his doctors appts., while my uncles and I took care of the outside stuff like mowing the yard, snow removal, yard/house maint..........and other chores keeping the place as he would want it to be kept if he was still able. 

This was the man who was my "father"............as my father was never a part of my life. Taught me to fish, shoot, drive, shave, etc....took me in and raised me when my own parents were not willing or capable of doing so. Was at all my baseball, football games and school functions when I was a kid. Made sure I never went without. He, and my grandmother, who died almost 12 years ago to the day, went above and beyond their whole lives to do anything for me and to this day I keep my boat in his garage as he wanted me to have it there because it was close to the lake and made it less of a hassle for me do the thing I love to do.  I am glad he got to see and know my own kids, his great-grandchildren, I wish my grandmother would have been around for that.

Not a day goes by, that I don't, for at least a moment, think about all those people in my life that are now gone. My sister, my mother, my uncle, my grandma, and now my grandpa. The are all buried in the cemetery overlooking Silver Lake, and I take great comfort knowing, every time I go fishing, they are nearby. 

Like I said..........it's been a hard past few years dealing with his condition, and part of me is glad his struggle is over....but we would have gladly kept up the fight..........forever, if it meant avoiding this.

R.I.P. Grandpa, you are loved and will be missed.

[slonezp]

Prayers for you and the family and may grandpa rest in peace

[00 mod]

So sorry for your loss 

Jeff

[roadwarrior]

He was a good man and you are a good man. I hope your children follow in your footsteps and remember your grandfather with the same love you have shown for him. Keep up the good fight.

-Kent

[Darren.]

All the best memories are in your heart
and mind and he will live on in them 
forever, as the others have.

I lost my mother last year to a stroke, I 
understand the depth of the loss.

Be at peace and catch some record
bass at Silver Lake for him...

[Oregon Native]

He's fishing in that big pond now waiting for you all.  No pain...no worries.  Sorry for your loss....my wife and I have suffered some loss also so feel your loss.  May every day get a little better for you.  It's awesome you have such great memories.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Prayers sent for yall. 

[Jtrout]

So sorry for your loss catch some fish for him!

[kickerfish1]

Prayers for you and your family ww2farmer. Sounds like he was an incredible and very influential person.

[Subaqua Adinterim]

Your words were a nice tribute to someone that put you on the right path in life.  Very sorry for your loss.

[Gundog]

Sad to hear about your Grandpa. He passed on to you the happiest parts of his life so you could enjoy them as well. My heart goes out to you and your family.

[BiteFiend]

Very sorry for your loss. Your relationship with your grandpa sounds really similar to the relationship I had with mine, so I know your pain. May his memory live on in your heart and through you. 

[K_Mac]

Sorry for your loss WW.

[Bankbeater]

So sorry for your loss. Prayers sent.

[Crappiebasser]

So sorry to hear. We're praying for you.

[lo n slo]

well said farmer. your testimony is a true definition of what a real man is. carry on my friend.

[fishinfiend]

sorry for your loss, sir. 

[Redlinerobert]

Great role model.  A man couldn't ask for more.  May he rest in peace. 

[rmcguirk]

So sorry for your loss. 

[Glenn]

Sorry for your loss.  My condolences.

[Bluebasser86]

Sorry for your loss WW2. It really hits close to home, I lost my grandpa a couple months ago after he had a long battle with multiple ailments. I watched my grandmother age considerably from the stress of their day to day life. I still miss him badly, but I know it was what had to happen so both of them could rest again. Sounds like he was a great man. 

[ww2farmer]

Thanks for the thoughts and well wishes everyone. I am oddly more at peace with this than I would have thought, because I know his struggle is over. I got over the biggest hurdle, which was telling my kids that great grandpa was no longer with us in body. But it is of great comfort knowing that every day for the rest of my life, a part of him will be with me, especially when I go fishing on Silver Lake..............which is "home"

[F14A-B]

I was driving home last week, it was exactly 5:05 am. Sky was just getting really pretty out here in the corn. I pulled in the drive and dad said you hear em? (Coyotes) I said yea, I hear em..he points, i said no, over there..he laughed and says " there are two packs, one over there, one over here ( he points ) d**n..your right, 2 packs. That really happened...but Dad died 3 years ago..I'm telling you, sometimes, just occasionally, something will happen and they (whomever) will suddenly be there..

I miss him. He taught me to hunt and to fish..

Sometimes the reminders of things, hits like a locomotive. 

Such is life for us all..

Peace.

[WIGuide]

Sorry to hear about your grandfather. Losing people is a rough thing to do. I'm praying for you and your family. Take comfort in knowing he is no longer struggling, and that he'll be up there looking down on you while you're out fishing. 

[Dwight Hottle]

My condolences Brad. May he RIP at Silver Lake.