Alright this is my first thread. I would like to say that I know how it is growing up with someone your whole life and then they slowly forget who you are. I was really close to my grandfather. Almost closer then any other of his grandchildren, (except shellee). I moved to Florida about 6 years ago leaving him. But he came to visit with my grandma just about once or twice a year and I went to visit them. 3 years ago he had to be placed in a nursing home because it was just too dangerous for him in the real world. He wanted to stay in a house that he practically build from scratch until he died. But that just couldn't happen. I saw him 4 years ago right before he went into a nursing home. He looked normal and talked actual words and looked as if nothing was wrong with him. and then 2 years later (which was last summer) I went back up north to see him. Words could not explain how I felt.
He was soo different. he had lost a lot of weight, he couldn't have his dentures in anymore because they didn't fit and his eyes looked hollow. I wanted to cry soo bad when I walked in that room. They told me sit next to him on the bed and I sat as far away from him as I could. I couldn't process everything. my mind was still stuck thinking.. that's not him. Well I finally caught up and was bitting my tongue so I couldn't cry. well someone noticed and said "Nikky are you ok?" I couldn't. I cried out no and walked out of the room. I couldn't. on of my contact lenses fell out cuz I was crying so much. I walked out and my aunt came after me. She said we'd go for a walk so I walked all the way to the end of the hall and waited for them because I didn;t know the code to get out. There was old people staring at me when I was rushing by because I was crying so hard. It didn't really affect my brother and sister until the last day because their younger and whatnot. I don't even think I went back in that room that day. I know I didn't return the next day. I just couldn't. I regret it though. I could of spent some more time with him before he left.
But on Febuary third of this year he drew his last breath. When I found out, I did not cry. It didn't feel as if time stopped. It just continued. I felt as if a big weight was lifted from my shoulders. Relif. He wasn't sufering anymore. He was in heaven and back to normal. He knew what was going on and who we were. He is always with us. I graduated a fe weeks ago and I knew he was there. He would of given everything to be there. And he was. I cried at his funeral yes but after that, I was happy. I knew he was happy to see me happy. He is what, I think, brought the family closer together. Over the last few years we have united way more then before. Especially us grandkids. We get along great and we're pretty much each other's best friends. It's great!
Here is a few poems I wrote in his honer.
The first one is entitled "My Special Hero" (This was before he died)
The following poem your about to hear might make you cry,
I'll tell you all right now, none of it is a lie.
It's about the hero who never faught,
It's about the hero I love a lot.
He has a wife and five kids, who now have all grown,
They now have children of their very own.
His name is Normand and his wife's name is Shirl,
The first child they had was a baby girl.
What name should they give a child so serene?
They thaught up the name, Shirlene.
After Shirlene was Kathey, Roger and Terry,
For their final child's name was Debbie.
In a small house is where this big family lived,
A bigger house was what Normand wanted to give.
For years, he made that small house bigger
With old wood he foudn that was just a bit bitter.
He hammered through the morning and night,
He wanted the house to be just right.
When he finished he stood back and admired his work,
An on his face he had a huge smirk.
What us to be a house with 3 bedrooms and a closet sized bath,
With this new house Normand and his family could start a new path.
He raised his children doing his very best,
For he has a big heart which lies within his chest.
He has eleven grandchildren who love him very dearly,
For the first one's name is Michelle followed by her sister Ashley.
After Ashley was Tara, Tyla, Teddy, Nikky and Ian,
But that's not all there was still Sammy, Jesse, Alex and Caitlynn.
Nowadays Norman doesn't remember all their names,
His mind was taken by which Alzheimer's now claims.
He can't remember his days from the past,
In my mind is were they shall last.
There is so much more to add to this long story,
about my hero and all his glory.