My grandfather, on my mother's side, is a character. He was born in Holland and came over to America when he was 3. Most of his life was spent farming, either cattle and corn in Iowa or Walnuts and Almonds in the Central Valley of California. Eventually, he sold his farm and moved into a the small town near his farm where he continued to work for the city as their contractor while raising 6 kids (my mother is the oldest). My grandmother and he celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last spring.

Little kids love my grandpa and know to look for him sitting in the back of the church where he will joke around with them and then slyly pass them candy when he shakes their hand. His carpentry shop has turned out some unbeleivable pieces of work that have made lots of people smile. Even after he went through a couple of heart attacks and open heart surgeries 20 years ago, he never seemed to slow down in the shop. Mornings with him usually meant donuts and having to watch our bacon so he didn't steal any.

My grandpa died late on Friday night. I saw him for the last time on Friday. He hasn't been doing well over the last few years and last week he fell out of his chair. Nothing happened in the fall but we all knew that the end was near. When I saw him, he was in a hospital bed at home. He didn't say anything but I know that he heard Shannon and me talking to him. The strange thing was that I thought that he looked better than he had the last few times I saw him. His face had color in it and he seemed to be at peace. I half expected to find a peppermint candy hidden in his hand for me. During the last week, my grandma heard him praying, singing, and speaking Dutch at times, something I've never heard him do. I know he was right with God and ready to go and I'm glad he is no longer in pain.

The funeral is on Friday. This won't be the first funeral I've been to but I've never been to one for someone close to me. Whenever death has been near me, either I was too young to realize it or I wasn't very emotionally attached to the person. I have no idea how I'll handle it. I have been choked up at times the last few days. My dad is giving a eulogy at the service and I know that there will be a lot of familiar faces filling the church. All things considered, my grandma is doing well. She is healthy and I pray she does well by herself. I know she was prepared for it and did not want him to suffer any longer than he needed.

There is so much I want to say and no way for me to do it like I want to here. I miss my grandpa already but I know I will see him again. So long, Old Timer, I love you.

Ferrick