Oh Jen. Really, we should get together and tie one on. lol.

On the bright side, I think it's a beautiful love story. I've heard of older people around here doing the same thing. I know you don't want to lose him, but just think of the fine fine place he'll be, and to be with not only God and the Angels, but with his wife too, after BOTH of them living a long and glorious life. Really, what more can any of us ask for?

On the downside is the obvious. Another member of your family is going away whom you shall never see again here on Earth. You're going to have another huge hole in your heart until time passes, and then you'll look back and smile and tell this beautiful love story to other's.

In the meantime, I honestly have no advice to give. My grief is just now catching up with me. We're just at that age where we're losing those close to us and I HATE it.

I know. If I didn't feel so crappy physically from this cold/flu/whatever-the-hell-it-is, I'd be seriously eyeballing that bottle of wine on the kitchen counter right about now. Although, at my age, tying one on is problematic in that the ol' body can't handle it like it used to be able to, and I'd be another kind of "sick" for days afterward. Still, it's a thought.

I just feel a bit numb right now. So soon after losing Grannie, but I guess in a way I feel perhaps a little more prepared for his passing. Not ready, by any means ... but I just know what to expect, I guess. I know what you mean about grief catching up with you. It has a tricky way of doing just that.

Thanks for your kind words, and for helping me to remember that if his time really is soon, then he will definitely be in a better place. He has already made it abundantly clear that he doesn't really want to be here without her, and that alone is heartbreaking enough to cause me to want to find the grace to "release" him.

Oakley, I hope wonderful, warm memories will soon fill the holes in your heart. It's been a really tough year so far, hasn't it? Still, I know others who have had a harder time than I, and I know that we all pass through these times of sorrow at some point.

Jen, I'm sorry to hear you are likely to lose another beloved member of your family. If you've read my comment on your Near Death thread, you know I believe your grandmother is waiting for him when he passes over. It sounds as though he's had a good life and has been well-loved and that he's loved those he cared about as well.
He's ready to go and when his time comes, he'll be at peace.

He's in my prayers.

M.

I'm very sorry Jen. No matter how much we brace, no matter how much we know it's our loved ones wishes and/or for the best, it still hurts so bad.

My thoughts & prayers are with you and your family.

I'm sorry, Jen. For whatever it's worth, no matter if it was a month after or years after, you won't be ready.

I just received a call from my parents - Grandaddy just passed. I think we're all surprised it happened so quickly, but my Dad almost feels like Grandaddy willed for it to happen as it did ... as much as anyone is able to will themselves to die. I think we all feel more at peace with his passing than we did with Grannie's. That's not to say that we aren't deeply saddened, but there's also a relief in the release, I guess.

Thanks for your kind words. You have all been a tremendous support to me over the past few weeks.

(((((Jen)))))

(((((Jen and family))))) It does feel willed, from what you say. A beautiful thing, but wrenching nonetheless. My instinct is they're out walking together now, thinking of you all back here and wanting you to know they're so happy to be out of those bodies...

I loved them both so very much. Doesn't he look like a lost little boy in this photo though? Flyleft, I love that image. I'm holding fast to it ...

I hesitated to share that photo before because it felt so intensely personal, but now it seems to me the ultimate depicition of one heart that just didn't want to keep going without the other.

I am sorry but he is where he wants to be for sure. I know my Momma felt that way after Daddy died and so did my FIL after my MIL passed. My heart goes out to you. c

We are never ready to lose someone we love. But it sounds if he IS ready. And do comfort yourself by knowing that and knowing that he wants to be with your sweet grannie.

I am so sorry you are dealing with this Jen - and especially again so soon after your grannie. My prayers are with you and your family.

tina

So sorry for your loss jen, especially so soon after your grannie. Thoughts of strength and best wishes to you and your family.

I am so so sorry about you having to deal with another loss, and feel more pain. Console yourself with the knowledge that HIS pain is relieved, because living without his life partner, your grannie, was very painful for him. So much so, he willed himself to be with her. And he is.
Dee

I am so sorry, Jen.

Thank you for sharing the picture. A picture IS worth a million words.

I wondered if your Grannie guided Molly back to you so that you wouldn't have to worry and miss her too as you go through this terribly difficult time.

I hope you regain your health so that you can enjoy your precious time with your mom in England. I think this trip will have particularly more meaning and your Grannie and Grandad would want you to be able to enjoy the time together with your mom.

warm thoughts and prayers for strength are being sent to you and your family. I am certain they are both at peace now.

What a handsome man, and GOOD picture of their "Love Story!" I love his cap on the back of his chair.

Rejoice Jen! He made it Home to where his heart has been longing to go these past few weeks!

I don't know him, but I think he willed it also. Gosh, it kind of makes me want to tear up...not at his death, but knowing they both passed so close together because of the deep love he had for her, and I'm sure vice versa. :)

That picture brought tears to my eyes. I've been married for 52 years and I can only imagine how he felt so console yourself knowing neither one of them has to suffer alone. They will always be with you because aspects of them are what you are. I hope the sadness doesn't linger too long and I wish the same for Oakleyok. God bless.

Ach, Jen...I can imagine your Grandad looking at those pictures that seem so old and distant in time, thinking "I remember when she took that photo -- my glamour girl, flaunting that lipstick" and it looks like he's looking directly at what might be a photo of her in her wedding gown? -- and it's like yesterday for him. He and he alone in your family knew your grandmother when that picture was taken (well, o.k., maybe grandaunts etc., but not your parents or you) -- he remembered seeing her come down the aisle in that gorgeous dress and his heart probably jumped right up to his throat...

...and now, I'm another one crying because of that photo as well. I think we're very honored that you chose to share it with us, dear Jen, as you were honored to witness their love for so many years.

That beautiful "story picture" leaves me with tears in my eyes. You are so fortunate to have lived within the circle of such loving grandparents. Hugs. Take good care of YOU. This 'going around' flu/cold is a tough one.

My sympathies to you auntjen, that picture is so poignant, it says it all.

auntjen, I couldn't open this thread until today and was shocked to see your Granddaddy had already passed so quickly. Then, I saw the pic you posted and it really touched my heart. He looks so spry to me (in the pic) and I love his hat and red jacket he is dressed in!

I'm so sorry! I'm sure they're so happy to be together again. Saying a prayer for you and your family.

Thank you all so very much.

Grandaddy proposed to Grannie on Valentine's Day 1935, with a heart-shaped box of candy and a sweet diamond engagement ring. So today is made even more special for me since I have that in my heart as well.

He does look rather spry in that photo, but he was physically quite frail. Even so, he went downhill so incredibly quickly in the 5 weeks since she passed ... and it was 5 weeks to the day, when he passed as well.

He loved, loved, loved to garden. He once had a large plot when they lived out in the country, and when they moved to the city he still maintained a smaller, but very productive, garden. We always enjoyed the bounty of his harvest in Grannie's kitchen. When I was in my early 20s and living overseas, I made a sampler for him that read, "Old Gardeners Never Die - They Just Lose Their Bloomers." He had a quick wit and loved wordplays, so that was right up his alley. Even up until the very end, he did his crossword puzzle daily.

He was a dear, dear man. I was so blessed to have him as my Grandaddy for almost 49 years.

My condolences. My dear Grandpa outlived my Grandmother by 11 years. There was nothing more sad than bringing him to cemetary. He missed her terribly. As much as you will miss them find comfort in knowing they truly had an eternal love, and now they are reunited.
Their love story is so sweet, I truly hope for the same for myself and my husband.

I 'm so sorry and hope you always have beautiful memories of them. I appreciate seeing that picture too, it's really touching since my dad doesn't even look half that good.

one heart that just didn't want to keep going without the other.

So perfectly said. And now they are together on Valentine's Day.

What a bittersweet story and emotional time for you. My condolences. This is a true love story and at some point, that's the stronger memory you'll carry and the ache will be in the background. âÂÂ¥ âÂÂ¥ âÂÂ¥

Graywings, how poignant. He didn't want to spend even one Valentine's Day without her. What a beautiful thought. This truly is a memorable love story.
Dee

dearest jen -- they walk together now.

a deeply felt true love story for all.

and a legacy of memories ...

blessings and love to you, your husband and your family.

Thinking of you and of your grandparents together again looking down on you.

What a beautiful lady!

Oh Jen, it's so hard to let them go, but knowing they are together, happy, and free of physical limitations, makes one glad for them. Thank you for sharing that incredibly sweet photo, may you be lifted up in your grieving by all the prayers and thoughts expressed here.

Aw, Jen, I am so sorry. That photograph is a treasure, though, and I thank you for sharing it. I think Flyleft's comments are spot-on.

(((jen)))

Jen, I'm sorry you lost both of them so quickly. At least they didn't have to be apart for long. The photo speaks volumes!

Oh sweetheart, I am so sorry about your Grandad. I know my words can't bring you enough comfort, but I hope they can help.

Last year my dear GrandAunt Virginia passed away after a long, long battle with breast cancer. Within 2 months, her husband also passed. He had been relatively healthy until then. They were both elderly, had been married nearly 60 years, but they are together again, just as they'd been from the first day they met.

My cousin was much like you, she's our age, and had just lost her mother, then her father. She said that while in the beginning it was so difficult, it actually got easier for her knowing that their love for one another carried on and remains with their family to this day.

The photo of your Grandad is beautiful. Your Grandmother was a beauty, and I know that their love will transcend this earth. Hugs to you.

Oh man...this is tough.
AJ, I'm so sorry.
What beautiful people though!!
We've all lost special people here...the ones lovingly mentioned on this thread. Heaven has gained some wonderful new friends.

I'm saying a prayer for all the suffering members here.

Love & Comfort,
Faron

Oh brother. Remember how I said earlier that the deaths were just now starting to get to me?

Jen, I think your grandparents passing contributed to this too.

I had a nightmare this morning. I dreamt the cemetaries were filling up and there was no more room in them. And for some reason they were bringing dead bodies, one at a time, in a wheelbarrow and putting them in our backyard until they made more space for their burial. I stood at the front door watching people being taken to our yard!

My MIL was one of them and I remember screaming at dh saying, "You have to bury her! You have to bury her!" Lord.

When I finally woke up, I said to myself, "I'm getting the he!! up!" lol

NO more nightmares! Have you had any?

Well, I dreamed my DH had taken a job as an exotic dancer. He came home wearing short-short-short blue jean cutoffs and a red bandana belt, bragging to me about all of the women who'd been fawning all over him while he gyrated. When I woke up I couldn't decide whether to laugh it off, or punch him.

Thanks so much for the kind words from everyone. I'm still feeling a bit ... numb, I guess. I just feel like I don't have many words in me at the moment, but I want you all to know how very much I appreciate each and every one of you.

Oh gosh, Jen. I'm late checking in and am so sorry to hear of the passing of both your grandparents. It's truly amazing to me how quickly he went after your grandmother.

Hang in there and know we are all sending you strength and hugs.

I'm so sorry for your broken heart. I would put that picture up at his service. It captures the timelessness of real love. It's really an amazing photo. The lighting, colors and content are really great. If it doesn't sadden you too much, or when the pain fades a bit, I'd really consider making it a bit larger and hanging it up.
RE dream: Maybe he was saddened by your sadness and sent you that crazy dream!

I am so sorry for your loss, Jen. However prepared we think we are it is always such a shock when our loved one is suddenly gone. Thank you for sharing the beautiful photo- it speaks volumes.

Hey Jen. No nicer words could be said than those posted above by our friends. I am sorry you have to endure another loss so soon.

My sincere condolences, Jen. Thank you for sharing the photo. It says everything.

Still thinkin' about you AJ....

Sending love to ya from the Northland-

Faron