My Grandpa...

My Grandpa is sick. I am so sad about this. See, he isn't just a Grandpa to me, but a father as well. Most of you that read me know that my father died very tragically when I was 10. Ever since then, my Grandfather has been there in that capacity. Every summer, he and Grandma took us up to their camp in Canada where we got to go swimming and play with all of our other cousins. It's an experience that I will never forget and one that I hope my children will get to experience in their lifetimes.

My mother called today to tell me that my Uncle is going down to Florida to drive my grandparents back up here to Syracuse. My grandparents moved down there a few years ago. Last summer my Grandfather got very ill while they were up at their camp in Canada (see they winter in Fl and summer in Canada) and we thought that he was going to die then. He had surgery for a perforated intestine and pulled through. It was noted then that he had a heart problem that needed to be taken care of. He didn't do it and now it appears he is too weak to make it through that surgery so....

So, he is probably going to die. He's 83 years old and has lived a long and busy life. He can't do the things he wants to...fish...boat, putter...you know the things that he has always done.

So, I just want you to know how wonderful my grandpa is...I already told you that every summer he and Grandma brough me, my sister and my cousin up to camp. Now that I look back on it, they took a week of his vacation to do this (before he retired). After my father died, I had no pictures of him (due to a house fire). One Christmas, my Grandfather went through all of his slides and pulled out the ones of my father and made an album for me and my sister. It has pictures of my parents prom, wedding and me as a baby. I will always cherish those pictures forever.

The college I went to offered a study abroad program. The second year I was there my Grandparents came up for parent's weekend. The professor that sponsored this program talked with them about the program, but I didn't think anything of it. On my birthday a few weeks later, Professor Martin handed me an envelope and told me "Happy Birthday". I was really surprised because I didn't even know she knew it was my birthday. I opened the card and it was from my Grandparents with a check made out to the college for the entire amount for me to go abroad. For Christmas that year, they bought me an entire set of luggage. I still have it. Oh, yeah, my Grandfather put me though college.

I graduated from Endicott College. It was a 2 year school when I went there and before I graduated my Grandfather asked me if I was going to go on. I said "No, I just want to be a pre-school teacher". He really wanted me to go on to college, so I applied to Syracuse University, not thinking for a minute that I would get in. I did. So, off I went to SU. I eventually not only graduated with a BSW, but went on for the extra year and got my MSW (Master of Social Work). I lived with my Grandparents for the year I was in graduate school.

So, I just want you all to know how special my Grandpa is to me. He is the best grandfather anyone could ever ask for. Thank You Grandpa. I love you.