We Interrupt this Program.....

 
My Grandpa Vernon passed away on December 27. He has been fading over the past few years and especially over the past few months just getting weaker and weaker in his  ripe, old age of almost 91. Of course, I couldn't have been further away when he decided to go, Antarctica of all places. I knew in my going to the land of ice and snow that this scenario was a possibility, but I was hoping he would hang on for awhile longer till I could at least be back in the country. Bummed to hear the news, bummed to be so far away, and bummed to have to leave Antarctica prematurely, I talked to the necessary people in charge to find out what my options were to return home. I was praying for a very specific outcome; to go home and then be able to return to finish out the season. I must say, Raytheon Polar Services, who I work for in Antarctica, was great! They flew me back to attend the funeral and are still allowing me to finish out the rest of my contract. Thank you, God. I will be in California for about 10 days total and then will return to McMurdo.  Amazing! They didn't have to let me do that.

It is weird to think about my grandpa being gone. I am still trying to wrap my mind around it.  He has always just been there in my life. As I get older, I am more and more truly thankful for the family that God blessed me with. I am very lucky to have been surrounded the way I have been.  Not everyone has what I have and have had. My Grandpa always took great pride in me, his one and only grand daughter (and in all of his grand sons too). He wasn't one to always say what he felt outright, but I could see it in the way he talked about me or when we were out and about, showing me off to the world. I think one of his favorite things was to take his grand kids to the donut shop where we could enjoy something he loved (donuts and coffee) with the ones he loved, and it also gave him a chance to show us off and brag on us to his friends:) We never minded going along for that! We all knew something "sweet" would come along with hanging out with Grandpa!

In my growing up years, my Grandpa and Grandma played a big role in my life. They usually visited once or twice a year, driving all the way up to Montana from California. Usually they would come during hunting season when my parents were busy with their outfitting business and they would take over the care of my brothers and I. I always remember not being able to WAIT till they got there!  They often came bearing gifts of delicious California oranges, almonds, and my favorite, pomegranates. As a bonus, my mom always went all out baking sticky buns, pies, and yummy food when they would come! Grandpa would usually help take on a big home improvement project or do something to improve our rugged Montana life. Both Grandma and Grandpa were troopers through our times of no power, no running water, outdoor plumbing, and insanely snowy or muddy roads. They still loved to come to see us!!

During my college years, my grandparents stepped in as my second parents (as mine were living out of the country during that time). I would often drive the hour something to their house from my college in Redding for the weekend, hauling all my dirty laundry to do and sometimes friends. It was always an open door there, for me, where I felt at home away from home. They were also my biggest volleyball fans coming to the majority of my home and away games. I will always remember my Grandpa yelling at the refs for anything they called on me and yelling at my coach anytime I was taken out of the game (which was kind of a lot being that I only played in the front row, ha ha)!  He knew they HAD to be wrong because...I was his granddaughter....and I should be playing!! He was always well known for his vocal sports enthusiasm, even back to when my Grandma first met him at a basketball game. She was appalled by this guy who was bellowing at the refs the entire game! Well....she must not have been too appalled:)

My Grandpa was steady, committed, and steadfast. When he said something, he usually did it. He wasn't overly dramatic about most things and calmly approached his life and work, often whistling under his breath as he went along. He was committed to his family, his church, and his jobs, stepping in where needed and lending a helping hand. He was steadfast in his faith, beliefs, and ideas; you didn't want to argue with him because he couldn't be swayed....well...except maybe with apple pie ala'mode, strawberry ice cream or chocolate, carmel, pecan turtles, but that's all.  My mom told me that in her younger years she would bake a pie or something her dad liked before she asked him a favor (like borrowing the car). The pie could help boost the odds of his agreement to her request....sometimes:)  Grandpa will be missed by his family and friends.  I will miss his "Ho-Hum" sighs of satisfaction, his renditions of "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" to awaken the day, and his old-school, mealtime prayers full of "thees" and "thous."

It has to be said that along with any man usually comes a great or even greater woman. My Grandma Dorothy is definitely that. Along with all the good, she also put up with all the....well, not so good and was a faithful life companion to the end.   She has been a hero in his care, and the care of their family, from day one, but even more so these past few years caring for my grandpa (along with the help of my Uncle Steve) as he has been slowly fading in mind and body. She never considered anyone else taking over the job as his care-giver but sacrificially gave herself unto the task, and a big one at that. She has completed an amazing and very difficult job! She is an incredible lady and I hope that I take after her in a number of ways! I am looking forward to the coming days and years as she will be more free to travel. I am hoping to have some adventures with this spunky granny of mine! "What do you say, Gran?  How about a road trip?"

I love this picture of my grandparents on their farm!