I received a phone call yesterday from my mom, informing me that my grandfather had passed away. I had heard a few weeks ago that his health was failing. I think he was 97 years old, although I am not certain at this point. I will clarified on this point in the days to come.
I am saddened by his passing only in the way that I didn't really know him. I can't remember the last time I saw him. I know that I haven't seen him since I've been in Ottawa, so at least 16 years ago. For that matter, I would only recognize a few of my my aunts and uncles on my mom's side and fewer of my cousins. Needless to say that my mom's family wasn't close. Which is very different from my dad's family.
I am saddened that I didn't know my grandfather. I have vague memories of him from when I was my kid's age.
I will be driving 8 hours (more like 9 or 10 hours when you have kids) to pay my final respects. I know that my mom wasn't very close to her father herself, but she did go visit him a few times in the last year. My mom is remarkably strong and she would hide her pain very well. I am going, to be there for her.
There is going to be a big family meeting after the funeral. I will get to meet alot of my family. I'm not sure how that will go, but I feel like I should be there.
My grandmother (mom's mom) passed when I was 3 or 4. I have no memory of her outside of what my parent's have told me. She apparently was an amazing woman. She died at the age of 54 of an aneurysm
My grandfather (dad's dad) passed when I was 16. he was 76 and we believe it was cardiac arrest, although he did not want an autopsy perfomed so the actual cause was never know. His health had been failing and he did not want medical treatment. It was a sad time for the family. I have many memories of him. I used to help him with his yard work and his garden. He always had wonderful stories to tell us.
My grandmother ( dad's mom) passed a couple years ago. She was 96 I think, she had a stroke a few years before and I believe she had reoccuring strokes. I remember her condition deteriating quickly over the last year. She was a prayer warrior, she was a barrel of laughes. and she loved to entertain people and make them laugh. My grandfather use to call her "tête heurese" which is Happy Head.
And now my last grandfather. I hope to get some memories from the stories that people will tell this coming weekend.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Busy Since the New Year
Things have been pretty hectic from December until Now.
Decemeber is December, with all the family get togethers, friends getogethers and so on. It hardly leaves any time to breath.
We spent a week at my parents, which proved to be relaxing, but as soon as we got back we needed to rush. We had Michelle's grandmother's Christmas getogether for the whole family. Then we also needed to get ready for our New Year's eve bash.
There was a little bit of rest in between that and the new contract at Environment Canada. But january was spent getting ready for Caroline & Bob's wedding. Caroline had been living with us since June of '07. We had anticipated a summer wedding, but they decided to step things up and make their Jamaica trip at the end of January their Honeymoon. Michelle was helping our in all the ways that she could. She helped out with decorations which meant the basement was in total disarray.
Things are back to normal in the house now and life is settling into a nice groove. On my new contract I am unable to access my blog which makes making entries a little more difficult. I have the time to do it today since I am land locked with a sick child. David was up from 2:30 this morning throwing up anything we tried to give. It was sad to see him heaving up a mouthful of ginger ale. Now we are focussing on getting him the rest and hydration that the needs. the worst seems to be over and he's taken many sips of water and all appears to be ok.
The new contract is going well. .NET C# is all good. The product is a smart client and the code is extremely clean. It is a dynamic work environemnt and they are continuously improving their product. The next release they are looking at converting everyting to CAB. It should be a fun couple of months.
Decemeber is December, with all the family get togethers, friends getogethers and so on. It hardly leaves any time to breath.
We spent a week at my parents, which proved to be relaxing, but as soon as we got back we needed to rush. We had Michelle's grandmother's Christmas getogether for the whole family. Then we also needed to get ready for our New Year's eve bash.
There was a little bit of rest in between that and the new contract at Environment Canada. But january was spent getting ready for Caroline & Bob's wedding. Caroline had been living with us since June of '07. We had anticipated a summer wedding, but they decided to step things up and make their Jamaica trip at the end of January their Honeymoon. Michelle was helping our in all the ways that she could. She helped out with decorations which meant the basement was in total disarray.
Things are back to normal in the house now and life is settling into a nice groove. On my new contract I am unable to access my blog which makes making entries a little more difficult. I have the time to do it today since I am land locked with a sick child. David was up from 2:30 this morning throwing up anything we tried to give. It was sad to see him heaving up a mouthful of ginger ale. Now we are focussing on getting him the rest and hydration that the needs. the worst seems to be over and he's taken many sips of water and all appears to be ok.
The new contract is going well. .NET C# is all good. The product is a smart client and the code is extremely clean. It is a dynamic work environemnt and they are continuously improving their product. The next release they are looking at converting everyting to CAB. It should be a fun couple of months.
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