This handsome devil is my other Grandfather, George. He is four years younger than Grandpa Bates in my previous post. A spring chicken at 89.
On Tuesday, completely out of the blue he passed away while at home, sitting in his favourite chair. He wasn't unwell, or in any pain, and had his wife and daughter (my mum) with him.
He isn't the Grandparent we've been worrying about!
Grandad was a war hero. Although you would never hear him say that. He fought in world war two, came home and never spoke of it again. He never accepted his medals. It was a chapter of his life that he just didn't want to acknowledge and we had to respect that.
Grandad was an awesome dancer. He taught me to waltz, some of my fondest memories are of going to dances with my grandparents.
Grandad made the best cup of tea EVER. He passed on his love of a good pot of tea to me, and to Stephanie. I remember very early on feeling very special with my very own cup of tea brewed for me by Grandad.
Grandad was funny, gruff, sarcastic, witty, grumpy and kind. There were a lot of people who were a bit wary of Grandad, he was gruff, but he had a heart of gold, and he didn't scare me. Mum says right from when I was a toddler he would growl and grumble and I would just climb into his lap and that would be grumbling over!
On Tuesday Kym and I will fly to Queensland to say goodbye to Grandad. It's bittersweet. I will see family that I haven't seen in a long time, but saying goodbye will be hard. We were planning a big birthday this year when Grandad would have turned 90, and Steph 20 on the same day. It was only yesterday that we had a party for their 10th and 80th birthdays.
Dear Lord. Please be with Nana, and Mum and Dad as they prepare for the funeral and adjust to life without him around. Please be with all the family as we travel to and from Queensland. Amen
4 valued opinions!:
Oh my friend, I am soooo sorry for your loss. He sounds like an incredbile man and I know your heart is broken. Praying for peace for your family.
I'm watching on facebook as the family gathers in Queensland (where we are all from) and so wishing I was there already. It will be sad, but it will also be a celebration. Because his was a wonderful life, well lived. And he was so loved and I know he loved us all. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers Leah....we are still worried about Kym's Grandpa, so prayers for him would also be appreciated.
Thinking of you .. and so pleased you are able to fly up together for this event.. treasure the time with your family and memories of a unique man in your life!
Oh, bless! Your Grandpa and your memories of tea together... very sweet! Sorry for your loss... How precious to have had him in your life... It's been 14 years since my Pa died, and I still miss his gruff, grumbly, funny, smoochy ways... I've been missing the blog-world of late, and I've popped in on you, hoping all is well, and trusting that it is... God bless! N x
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