Goodbye Grandpa

After a long week back in Iowa, we are finally home. It was a very bittersweet week. Grandma Blum came to Rochester last Tuesday the 1st and stayed overnight with us. Then, Wednesday we woke up early and took off for the lake. The boys rode well and we finally made it to the lake at 2:00 after many stops in Estherville! On Thursday a .m. Grandpa watched the boys while my mom, and family friends (and lake neighbors!) Kathy and Carol and I went to some garage sales. It was a blast! I picked up 40 dollars worth at one garage sale just for the boys. Toys, clothes, etc. They had so much fun when we got back playing with all their new "treasures"! Kaden has so much fun there. He met some little kids two houses down that kept him entertained for most of the week! So, for the bittersweet part...Jeremy's grandfather became very ill with pneumonia and was sent to the hospital. He had been in the nursing home after a few months of living with Jeremy's parents. He lived with macular degeneration and then in Feb. '08 was diagnosed with Lou Gherig's Disease (ALS) at the age of 89. He was dealt quite a hand, but through it all he seemed to keep his spirits up. Jeremy's dad is a superhero. What a son! If my boys grow up to be like Ken, I will be the happiest woman alive. What an inspiration and also such a good example for my boys. Ken took care of grandpa better than he took care of himself at times. When grandpa lived alone after grandma died in Sept. '06, Ken would call him EVERY night and talk to him before he went to bed. Then, when he went into the nursing home this past spring, Ken would go every day at least 3 times to see grandpa. Another neat thing is that grandpa was in the room right next to my Grandma Blum and he would visit her also. It was such a comfort to me to know that Ken was there to not only see grandpa, but also my grandma! Anyway, Grandpa got real sick and was sent to the hospital. He had a choice to treat his pneumonia or to make him comfortable. He was ready to "go and see Dorothy in heaven." So, that he did. Saturday, July 5th, 2008 grandpa got his wish. I like to believe he is up there with grandma dancing, playing cards, playing his harmonica for her and just telling her all about what she has missed for the last few years. That is what we told the boys. I'm not sure how much they understand (especially Hudsen), but I am so thankful that they got as many years as they did with him.