Grandpa died today.
He fell down, had a heart attack, and left this world just the way he wanted to...an old man, with a full life, loving family and still able to tell you what he was doing in 1932, 1968 or 2009. Still able to get around, albeit with the help of a walker, and most importantly, not in a hospital. He was a tremendous man.
I just need to write some of my favorite stories or memories about him because, even at 32, I realize memories get fuzzy, buried and sometimes forgotten, and when I'm in my 90s I still want to be able to clearly tell the story of what it was like to be Dick Young's granddaughter.
When I was a kid, about the age in this picture and for some years later, I loved to sit in his lap and ask him to take out his teeth. I thought THAT was the coolest trick I person could pull. I distinctly remember when my first tooth fell out I was very pleased thinking I was that much closer to my own fake bunch of teeth. He would also kindly let me stare at amazement at his "belly". Understand he was in his early 60s and certainly did not have a belly, but hey, I was a kid.
His pipe. I can't remember exactly when Gramps stopped smoking his pipe, but anytime I'm in a cigar/tobacco shop the smell brings me back to the safety of being a child on the farm. I'm almost waiting for Grandma to appear and tell me to go get a cookie.
The story about when he came back from World War II. He was in a train with a fellow soldier - a black man - and he wanted to share his bottle of booze with the black man. Someone on the train said the soldier had to go to another car and my grandfather certainly couldn't share his booze with the returning soldier. Grandpa let those ignorant people know that this man would sit with him and he could share his drink with whomever he chose.
Going through the woods and watching the crops grow. Two party favorites of Gramps. On a recent trip home, maybe two years ago, Grandpa was definitely slowing down and everyone was talking about it. Of course, we were all sitting under the tree and Gramps turned to me and said "Rin (he and Grams always say "Rin" not "Ren"), let's go for a ride." I could tell others were a little nervous - plus I think I was pregnant - but off we went. We rode through the woods and he pointed out everything I'd seen all my years growing up, but this time I enjoyed it so much more. That day he told me more stories while we sat under the tree - the Prohibition "runs", the man who paid with $100 bill at a bar during the Depression years, so much, so much.
When Jason met Grandpa and Grandma, he fell in love with them too. On a vacation up north one year we went to Chicago, then drove to my Grandparents house then on to Cincy. My grandparents were so happy we were there. Of course we would be there! It turned out to be one of my favorite visits of all time. Grandpa told Jason how he and my Grandma were at the game when Joe DiMaggio's hit streak ended. It was a game against the Cleveland Indians in 1941. Jason, being the sports maniac he is, promptly asked, "Do you still have the ticket?".
No, he didn't, but I think my Grandpa was having so much fun recalling sports stories with Jay. Those two were peas in a pod and spent a great deal of time talking about sports, jobs and my inability to cook. Jason's very favorite question to ask my grandpa...
Jason - "Gramps, what do you think of the (Cleveland) Browns?"
Gramps - "They're a bunch of bums! Dirty bums!" (Always said with the same defiant enthusiasm.)
I am so blessed he was my Gramps. I like to think he was proud of me. Even during my wilder years, he believed in me and I could feel it. I feel great comfort knowing that he met and loved Jason and Nick. And even greater comfort that he and my beloved Abuelo are up there watching over us, undoubtedly sharing a scotch and water (Gramps) and whisky (Abuelo) and finally speaking the same language.
My grandmother, my father, his brothers and sister have an deeper well of memories and love to draw on. When I go home on Saturday I want to be there for them, because even though we all know Gramps is free, happy and FINALLY able to hear everyone, it is us that will still be wishing we could listen to him once more.
Family self-portrait of Nick turning 2. Don't tell Elvis only one ear and eye made it!
