Homecoming
It has been a while since my last post here. Last Monday I learned that my grandfather, whom I have only recently gotten back in touch with, had passed away from a heart attack. It was a hard thing to hear and something particularly hard to come to terms with. We had been apart for 18 years. We weren’t terribly close, but I know I mattered a great deal to him. It was evident upon our reunion.
I left Thursday morning to go to the viewing that evening. I thought I was prepared for the event. I mean, they all go the same way don’t they? Apparently not. Also apparent was the fact that my grandfather was not just some old farmer. Roughly 400 people showed up for the viewing. It was incredible. Visitors ranged from friends and family to former school mates, employees and so forth. I learned a lot about my grandfather simply from the stories I heard that night.
Another unique aspect to this gathering was the fact that this would be the first time a very large portion of that side of my family would see me since I was about 4 years old. All evening I could see peoples faces as they caught glimpses of me. Always surprise and disbelief. I can’t tell you how many people approached me, introduced themselves and then told me that “The last time I saw you, you were this big.” and they would hold their hands just a bit higher than their knees. It’s true. It had been a long, long time. What was terrific was the welcome I received from everyone. Dad was pretty busy dealing with the formalities that go along with a funeral, and several of these “new” relatives took it upon themselves to attend me and introduce me to other family and friends. It was a shame it could not have happened under better circumstances.
The whole experience left me a bit overwhelmed, but largely pleased with who I am and who my grandfather was. I felt the beginning of a closeness that I have not felt in a great while being formed between myself, my father and my grandmother. It is wonderful to have family again.
