It can often be painful to think back on moments like this in life, when you are hit with such a blow that it brings you down to the ground. As time goes on, even though the pain is still there, it is enjoyable to think back about the fun and loving memories you had with that person. I want to take you back to the day that this tragedy happened.
August 21st, 2006. I was at the Ashbury pool with my sister and girlfriend at the time, Katie. They announced our names over the intercom multiple times and when we finally heard we headed to the front desk. It was our parents on the phone and they told us to come home immediately. At the time I was unsure what could be the problem. I was a good kid and surely could not have done something wrong. When you look back on this, you kind of wish you had done something wrong, as the news awaiting us at home was much worse. When we got back to our house we were told Grandpa had fallen and it was not good. We needed to head to the hospital now.
That car ride was one of the worst of my life. I remember crying in the car the entire ride, especially after hearing that he had officially passed on. Sitting in the back next to my sister as she did the same. When we got to the hospital we rushed in to confirm the sad, terrible truth. Grandpa had left us. We went in to say our goodbyes. I remember just standing there with my dad, mom, grandma, aunts, and sister around his body. I could not hold my tears back as they flowed down my cheeks. He looked so peaceful laying there, eyes closed and mouth open, as if he was napping. I eventually said my goodbyes and touched his hand and gave him a kiss on the head telling him I missed him. Death is something in all of our lives, and often can be so very difficult to deal with. I felt really weird for so long, as if he was still with us, and I am sure he is and was in some way or another. It was frustrating and I didn't understand it and didn't want it to be that way.
I remember going home that night and playing a song I had heard on the TV show Grey's Anatomy. How To Save a Life by The Fray. That song was on repeat for the next day, week, months, year, as I recalled memories of Grandpa. If you wish, play that song now while you continue to read and check out the photos.