My Pop | Wiping Up Snot

November 9, 2007 | Filed in: Fo' Real

This cute little guy is my grandpa. He’s not doing so great. Five or six years ago he had a bunch of surgeries on his heart and since then has been pretty much confined to bed. My grandma kept him home with her for as long as she could, but about a year ago he needed to go to a nursing home. He’s been there ever since, doing about the same as he’d been doing at home. Stuck in bed, ornery, and grumpy. But, still so damn cute.

The past few weeks (months?) he hasn’t been doing so well and the decision was made yesterday to let him go. We are taking him off all of his medications, except his pain pills, and letting him go be with his Mama, Daddy, brothers and sisters, and all the others who went before him.

He’s my Poppy. I love him. And I’ve been so horrible about going to visit him in the nursing home that is just a few blocks from my home because I just don’t know what to say to him. But, I’m going to see him today. And I’m going to tell him I love him and I’m going to give him a kiss.

Please pray for him to pass peacefully and painlessly.

24 Comments so far
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My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. *hugs*

You’ll be glad you went. My poppy spent a year in a nursing home and hardly ever went to visit him because the place was too depressing to ME…how selfish was I? I never thought about what it was like for him to be there. I regret not visiting him more

I would give anything to be with my Grandpa again. Enjoy and take advantage of every single moment you have left.

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Going to see him and tell him you love him is a great thing to do. Peace!

Hugs to you and Poppy!

Sorry to hear that .. I went through the same type of thing with my grandfather a few years ago. Glad I got to the hospital and told him I loved him before it was too late.

*big hugs to you*

Aww, Karly…Hugs to you. I lost my grandpa 2 years ago, and he was in a nursing home for the last week or so. I never went there, because of the depressing place, and because I didn’t know what to say, but one day I took the kids and Husband, and took him a TV, and visited. The kids got to hug him and play a little with him, and I visited with him. I noticed a sort of intensity about him that day, like he was trying to memorize us. Three days later, he passed away, and I can’t stop feeling like he was waiting to see us before he went (I was the only one who hadn’t been there). I was SO glad that we went after that. Good thoughts heading you way, and give him an extra big hug.

Poppy is adorable. I agree - it’s so hard to see them like that. You won’t regret going and visiting. You’ll regret NOT going.

Take care and give yourself a hug, too, Karly.

You’ve been so lucky to know and love your Poppy; I’m sure he’s WAY proud of his granddaughter and her family. Love him, love yourself, and live like he’d want you to live.

And he might show up in your dreams. Papaw (who passed just before my wedding) still visits from time to time in mine. He will never answer when I ask if he’s really there or not, though.

He sure is adorable… and I’m sorry you have to let him go. Sounds like he’ll be in good hands though and is probably looking forward to it.

Oh Karly, I’m sorry. I’ll have a beer (or water if he’s a teetotaler) for him tonight.

Take care.

So sorry… what a very hard thing to go through.

Sounds like telling him you love him and giving him a smooch is a great idea.

sending hugs.

i’m so sorry. and yes, he is adorable.

Of course.

((hug))

xo CGF

Oh, Karly. I’m so sorry. I am glad you’re getting some time with him, though. I’m sure it will mean a lot to both of you.

Thinking of you both…

I’m so sorry, Karly! How did you visit go with him? I’m preparing myself for the inevitable with my parents. It’s got to be thee hardest thing to do in the world. Letting go.
Prayers on the way…

My thoughts are with you. How fitting that you posted a picture of him smiling, despite the pain. He must be a wonderful man.

Love to your Poppy. And remember to give your grandma a hug, too.

Ohh…you brought tears to my eyes. My thoughts are with you. I lost my Grammy when I was pregnant and on bed rest. I got rolled out of bed long enough to go the nursing home to say goodbye to her and I’m so glad that I had that opportunity. It’s hard to say goodbye though, HUGE understatement.

Thinking of you….it sucks and it’s so hard to say goodbye.

Just hold his hand and be there. Just be there. Touch him. Talk to him. Even if he’s unconscious. Sing, even if you sing badly. Sing Amazing Grace. Rub his arm (softly — old people have fragile skin). Read the 23rd Psalm.

Be with him. Help him to relax and let go.

And I’m so sorry for your whole family. Saying goodbye is terrible.

And don’t beat yourself up with the coulda woulda shouldas. He was young with a young family once, and he understands.

Go when you can. Go while you can. Even if you can’t tell if he can tell if you’re there, go for you. It will help you say goodbye and have peace.

You and your Poppy are in my thoughts. (((hugs)))

I’m so sorry to hear about your Poppy. My grandmother lives in a home just a few miles from my house and I don’t visit nearly as often as I should. I really hate how it is the thought of some day not being able to visit her that motivates me to stop in. Grandparents rock!

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