Grandpa

(My grandpa and I in 2009 – we both dread getting our pictures taken so love that I share one of his traits)

My grandpa has been diagnosed with Cancer on the 24 November 2011.

This has been a really bitter pill to swallow - As we lost my Granny 16 years ago to CANCER and know that this is not going to be easy as he is much older and weaker than my Gran was when she was initially diagnosed.  So I thought as I was drying my tears of all the things I am truly grateful that relate back to my Grandpa;

·         My dad would not have been here if my Gran and Grandpa only wanted to have one son.

·         I would not have had the loving Godparents, parents, cousins and sister if my Grandfather didn’t have children.

·         I would not have had those wonderful memories of December holidays in Bloemfontein, these holidays where filled with sunshine, swimming, swinging (my grandpa made each grandchild their own swing), slip-and-slides, days out at the zoo, driving in his car, videos, hanging from the washing line and spinning around and most of all the great big hugs.

·         My Grandpa is a GENTLE SILENT GIANT – Gentle as a lamb, with great big arms that could crush you but never did.  He is silent and always listens, he is not the life of the party, but the one that always you could sit and talk to for hours.  He always gave the best advice and would give you his last pennies if he knew it would help you. He is someone I have literally looked up to my whole life.  Tall enough to have to bend when he walked into the caravan, doors and tents on trips. 

·         Grandpa is the one that would always have a hanky for your scrapes or tears.

·         Grandpa always wear those awesome shirts, he has had them for ages and they are so soft from all the washing.

·         Those tall beer glasses and always cold beer, famous in my Grandpa’s house – you will never go thirsty.

·         Breakfast in bed – He makes a mean scramble eggs in the microwave.

·         Holding Hands, this was a thing that Grandpa would always do, if we were walking with him you would have to keep up (he walks fast) and always hold his hand.

 

I’m all teary eyed today, guess the fear, disbelief and hurt has set in.  I don’t want to loose this amazing person that has truly been so special to me.