My Hero

July 4th is a day for celebrating our freedom, our independence. My beloved grandpa was a 4th Division Marine in WWII. He would never talk about the war, but if it did come up, he would get teary-eyed and would say, "War really is Hell." For my grandpa, swearing consisted of 'shoot,' 'dang' and 'oh boy.' Even as he was in a lot of pain he'd say, "Oh boy." The hospital nurses LOVED him. He was polite to everyone. He embodied a gentle, loving Soul with a wit and humor to be envied. He NEVER gave up. At 92 years old he was still very independent. In recent years, he would tell me that he could still think with the brain of a young man, but his body was wearing out and that was frustrating. When we met with the specialist team at the hospital about his hospice options, he piped in - "Have you tried everything?" In his mind, there had to be some pill he could take that would allow him to go back home to his wife of 67 years. I know I half-thought he'd do the impossible and figure out a way to pull out of this "mess" too. Unfortunately, his heart was too tired and he transitioned over last Thursday night. 

That evening, I had left my mom at the hospital and had just arrived back to the house and made myself some dinner when I kept feeling pulled to go find and look at pictures of him. I thought that was kind of strange. Then, just a few minutes later, the call came from my mom that he had passed. It turns out my mom and I both got our wishes - he passed peacefully and he crossed over immediately. On the way back to the hospital with my grandma, I could feel his presence in the car. When we arrived next to his body, I 'saw' him standing next to her with his hand on her shoulder. The next day, I could feel him everywhere - as if he permeated all of my cells. This was new for me as I usually sense spirits in a more condensed form. While the human/ego part of me cries when I see where he'd normally be sitting or we share a dessert I know he'd love, the Soul part of me just smiles. While the human/ego part of me longs to hear him say "Hey Gal" just once more, I know if I get quiet and open my heart, I can feel his love there. While I'm sad that we won't have anymore birthday celebrations together (we share the same birth date), I'm so grateful for the last few years we did share. Though there won't be any more Earth memories to create, I know he's around and will be there when I need him. 

As we celebrate our Independence Day - thanks, in large part, to people like my grandpa - I know he is celebrating a different kind of freedom. He is celebrating with the Angels and those he loved who went before him. This July 4th, I will reflect with gratitude on the freedoms that I have and I will hug the ones I love. During this day of BBQs and fireworks, I suggest you take a moment to really soak it all in and BE grateful. I'd say rest in peace Grandpa, but I know better ;)         - Love, with all my heart, Adrienne :)

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