Friday, August 31, 2012

Rest in peace, grandpa.

My grandpa passed on Monday morning and was laid to rest today (Friday). We just got home tonight, after getting to my hometown Wednesday afternoon and spending Wednesday and Thursday night in a hotel.

It was an exhausting, confusing, taxing, depressing, stressful, exhausting exhausting exhausting weekend. But also a tiny bit fun because I got to see so many family members. I got drunk, didn't sleep nearly enough, and pumped in both a closet at the funeral home and a men's restroom at the parish hall.

Traveling with a 15 week old is no joke - especially a 15 week old who has his first cold. Poor baby. He's had diarrhea and sounds like a little piglet when he tries to breathe. He also has a pathetic little cough. It breaks my heart.

He did not sleep well at all while we were gone, but did take some good naps because we packed up his swing, which was a pain in the ass but totally worth it. We co-slept in the hotel bed because I couldn't bear to listen to him snorting over in the crib.

I spent the better part of 6-7 hours preparing for this trip (packing, laundry, cleaning the house for our house sitter, etc), but luckily I think unpacking will go more smoothly.

Alex was my grandpa's first (and only) great-grandchild. There was a large flower arrangement on the casket: yellow roses, mums, and carnations, with white daisies. There were ribbons that said "dad", "husband", "grandfather", etc. And tucked in the corner of the casket, one tiny yellow rose with a "great-grandfather" ribbon. It went into the grave with him. He didn't get to know Alex very long, but he sure was special to him for three short months.

I look forward to the day I can take big boy Alex to grandpa's grave and tell him that there's a tiny rose from him resting with his great-grandpa.

I'm sad.

5 comments:

Alex said...

Funerals are very sad, but can also be enjoyable considering you get to see so many people and truly celebrate someone's life. That is so sweet that there's a little rose from Alex. So sorry about the loss of your grandpa.

Still A Guest Room said...

So glad that your grandpa got those three months with little Alex. Thinking of your family.

Frankie Bee said...

Aww - that bit about the ribbon made me tear up - wish grandparents could live forever. ((Hugs))

Jem said...

Shedding a tear

MaryMargaret said...

It's such a hard thing to lose a grandparent, but how amazing to even have a chance to meet a great-grandparent. I'm glad you were able to find some positive aspects to an otherwise crappy trip, and I hope little man feels better soon!