Saying Goodbye to Grandpa

We've had a busy few weeks this month. I received a call at work on Thursday, September 2, that my father was in the hospital and under hospice care. I drove 20 hours north, and was able to sit with him for a few hours on Friday night. He passed away early the following morning. Ukulele and GatorMan flew up for the visitation and funeral, and then we all drove back home together.

It's very surreal. The last time I saw my father he seemed healthy and had not been diagnosed with cancer yet. That was in January. A short nine months later he was gone. I'm not sure if it doesn't seem real to me because I did not see him get sick, or if it just has not really set in yet.

Ukulele did great during the whole ordeal. She kept looking up at the casket (during the visitation) and then looking at me. I had to tell her that grandpa had gone night-night. She would just lightly whisper "nigh-nigh." So heartbreaking on a number of levels.

So to you, Dad and Grandpa, rest easy, and keep cheering for those Hawkeyes. We're going to miss you.

Four generations... Ukulele, me, Dad, and Grandma (Ukulele's great-grandma)

Ukulele and Grandpa - one of their first meetings






Ukulele with Grandpa's Hawkeye bear he sent for her









Three of the original four generations