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jere7myMy grandfather died last night.
He was 92. He went without pain, and he went before he lost his mental or physical faculties (save his sight); he fainted while a nurse was helping him to the bathroom, and he never woke up.
He was a locomotive of a man, and please underline the "loco". He feuded bitterly with his nursing home administrator, whom he called "der Führer". He once left a long angry complaint on the back of a restaurant placemat, then realized he'd forgotten his hat—and, completely unabashed, went back in to get it. He was a teacher and a tireless promoter of the YMCA, and he made his own root beer, and he was tickled silly when some combination of coupons would allow him to get a can of nuts for twelve cents.
We had an antagonistic relationship sometimes—he didn't approve of my hair, he wanted K. and I to stop living in however much sin we're living in, he was a staunch Republican—but he loved me and I loved him. There was a lot to admire in him, blended inextricably, alloyed, with the exasperations. I didn't think anything would ever stop him. I am glad, in a way, that he died before he faded; I can remember him upright and grinning and declaiming, still with granite in his bones.
But I wish he could've lived to see my wedding. That would have made him happy.
Rest in peace, Grandpop. I hope heaven has a complaint box.
Edwin T. Thorpe II
1912 - 2005
He was 92. He went without pain, and he went before he lost his mental or physical faculties (save his sight); he fainted while a nurse was helping him to the bathroom, and he never woke up.
He was a locomotive of a man, and please underline the "loco". He feuded bitterly with his nursing home administrator, whom he called "der Führer". He once left a long angry complaint on the back of a restaurant placemat, then realized he'd forgotten his hat—and, completely unabashed, went back in to get it. He was a teacher and a tireless promoter of the YMCA, and he made his own root beer, and he was tickled silly when some combination of coupons would allow him to get a can of nuts for twelve cents.
We had an antagonistic relationship sometimes—he didn't approve of my hair, he wanted K. and I to stop living in however much sin we're living in, he was a staunch Republican—but he loved me and I loved him. There was a lot to admire in him, blended inextricably, alloyed, with the exasperations. I didn't think anything would ever stop him. I am glad, in a way, that he died before he faded; I can remember him upright and grinning and declaiming, still with granite in his bones.
But I wish he could've lived to see my wedding. That would have made him happy.
Rest in peace, Grandpop. I hope heaven has a complaint box.
Edwin T. Thorpe II
1912 - 2005
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Date: 2005-01-24 02:46 am (UTC)It's cool that you have so many interesting things to say about him. He sounds like he was quite a character.
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Date: 2005-01-24 03:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-24 03:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-24 03:50 am (UTC)::hugs::
The way you describe him... that, to me, is a perfect example of loving a family member. I mean... a family member may be "loco", may have an antagonistic relationship with you, and so on, but you love that person and that person loves you. So, thank you.
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Date: 2005-01-24 04:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-24 05:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-24 05:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-24 06:29 am (UTC)He sounds like an amazing and unique man.
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Date: 2005-01-24 03:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-24 07:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-24 09:33 pm (UTC)