Remembering

I'm not sure why I thought of this today. But it's been 2 years and 1 month since my Grandma Kehler passed away. Almost 10 years after my Grandpa Kehler. They lived on a farm very close to us so Adam and I used to spend a lot of time there. I miss them. My Grandpa passed away in 1998 but it was like he left earlier because of Alzheimer's. It scares me that it's in my family. I don't want to have to put Tina or the kids (or future grandkids) through that. My Grandma had a long drawn out battle with cancer. She was bedridden for most of her final months. We used to go to the hospital to sing hymns to her. The Christmas ones were her favourite. I think it was one of the last times we saw her my dad said we would sing two more songs before we had to go. During the second last one it looked like she fell asleep. But when the song ended she opened her eyes and grabbed my Dad's hand and said, "You promised me one more". That made me smile. She was very special to me. It's hard sometimes not having them around. But I think each was ready to go. It would have been selfish for me to keep them around just for me. (like I have that kind of power) My Grandma and Grandpa Sawatzky are still around. My Grandpa keeps joking that he's on borrowed time. He's turning 86 this year. They have certainly slowed down a lot. I can remember going to their house for a couple of days with Adam and my three cousins during the summer. How Grandma kept up with the 5 of us I'll never know. I've always had a special relationship with them because I'm the first grandchild. I also spent a lot of time there as a newborn because my parents spent the first few years of their marriage in a house trailer on their yard. I try to see them when I can and I've started asking more about their history, what they remember. I think that's important. It hurts to think of my Grandma and Grandpa Sawatzky dying. I don't want it to happen. It sucks even more that I know it is and can't make it hurt any less. I hate it that we get older. Cherish what you have, remember each moment is a gift. That's all I have. Thanks

cheers

Bud