My grandfather's funeral was Sunday. He was a remarkable man, and not just because he lived to be 103. He had a never ending quest for knowledge and loved to tell stories. I am forever grateful for the books he wrote of our family history starting with his family in Poland in the late 19th century through today. He was so proud of those books and I am so happy to have copies that he wrote special notes to me in.
I have so many memories of this man who partially raised me as a small child. As a small child we lived in a duplex with my grandparents upstairs and us downstairs.
He made his living in the garment industry. I remember going to his shop with him as a very small girl and watching as he made the patterns, and laid the fabric out to cut it. The scraps were used to make little pleated skirts for me. I always had new skirts because it cost nothing for him to make me the skirts, and it cost money to get them dry cleaned.
Every year the Passover seder was at my grandparents' house. My brother was too old join in stealing the matzo, so it was up to me and my oldest cousin. We thought we were so sly every year. Only later did I realize my grandfather knew what we were doing and played along.
I remember him driving his great big 1975 cadillac on the highway at 40 miles an hour on the highway with cars zooming by and my grandmother telling him to slow down and stop showing off!
He used a computer, but didn't like windows. He wanted microsoft to make changes and had a list. I can't even begin to imagine what he thought of all the changes he saw over his lifetime.
There are so many little things that he did and said over the years that made him special to me. I'm sorry I didn't have the chance to say goodbye to him. I knew at 103 his time was limited and I had a trip planned to see him later this month. Unfortunately I will never get to take that trip. But I will always have my memories of this special man that touched so many lives.
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 133
I am very sorry for your loss, I lost my grandmother at 98 4 years ago and I still miss her alot! You have many wonderful loving memories, your grandfather was blessed to have you for his granddaughter. Your in my thoughts my dear friend...
This is a Great tribute to your grandfather.I am glad to hear he had a life,so many elderly don't.
You were Blessed to have him for so many years.
Many Hugs
I have so many words that I want to say to you but don't really know how to say them...
I am so sorry for your loss of your Grandfather, I know he was a truely remarkable man, and I KNOW that the memories of your life with him will be forever cherished.
Mooch
Hugs & kisses
Sending good thoughts to you and yours.
MyHotComments
I am sorry for your loss. In such a big way though your grandfather is alive inside of your heart and soul. It seems just from what you wrote here that he was a major factor in making you the lady you are today. I am also sure that there are others in your family that he had the same effect on, that is how he will live forever as long as you have such great memories of him.
I can imagine what it must have been like to talk with a man that has been on this Earth for 103 years. There would be so much history and knowledge there that it would be fascinating to listen to. Terry (my fiance) and I think a lot alike on this. There is so much history and wisdom within older people that it is an excellent way to learn just by listening to them. Especially one that was around for 103 years. It is a shame how some people will just cast aside older folks and feel that they are more of a burden than a blessing. I can tell just in reading what you wrote here that your grandfather was not one of those castaways.Especially when it came to his relationship with you.
;~)
I just wanted to say I am finally going through what is now under 6,500 pieces of gather new mail that is in my inbox on here. So with that in mind I have finally come to a piece of mail that was addressed to me in regards this article submission you have created to share with the gather community. Thank you for taking the time and sharing your piece with us here at gather. :o)
I am so sorry for your loss. I am also sorry that I have not been on Gather to see this post sooner. I have been wondering how you were doing. Your grandfather sounds familar to me because my grandmother on my mother's side had the same presence in my life that your grandfather has in yours. She died four days before Christmas in 1989 and I still miss her and feel her touching my life almost everyday. Like you with your grandfather, I also have my memories of her.
He Sounds like a remarkable man!
My grandfather was born in 1909. He passed
in Oct of 2000. He passed on his late wife's birthday.
I know the feeling of missing them
God Bless
pay it forward group~
It sounds like he lived a good and full life, and was much loved by his family. Who can ask for more than that?
I would have LOVED to chat with the man!
I only hope you can share with us more of him when you are ready.
So sorry for your loss!
I am thrilled to meet another Nawlins friend. I was raised in bayou country in St. Mary Parish - a couple hours from NO. Salud
"We thought we were so sly every year. Only later did I realize my grandfather knew what we were doing and played along."
He knew you, he always did and he will forever know in his heart that your love was endless and priceless. I am in the process of waiting for a death in the family and yet I can't bare to be there as I can't handle the sadness and the dispair that is all about. I know in my heart, she knows I love her and have said my goodbyes but when the final step comes I shall be there. Right now, I know a loss as I have lost many in this war. I know the losses of heart so have no regrets because anyone who knows you, will know you loved them from the heart.
As long as you remember, as long as he knew he would keep memories alive in books and his passionate writing, you will forever have him alive every time you open them books to remember him because with each turn of the page so shall his hand be there among yours. It is a rare gift to have such a wonderful man leave such wonderful thoughts and gifts to a loving family he raised. Consider yourself lucky among the stars as he is there in peace, smiling down upon you as you read his book. I have been doing the same with my writings for my kids and hec they are now today 22 sons birthday and daughter 20 so when it is my turn, they shall have writings by me.
Many blessings to you and yours and may God keep him in his tender care:) GOD BLESS!!:)
I almost feel that what I am saying sounds so trite and repetitive of what all the other wonderful people have posted before me, however, that does not change the fact that I am one more who can feel the wonderful memories and pride you have in your heart for this incredible role model in your life, and I have faith that he - along with all his inspiration - will forever be within the hearts of both you and all those he touched.
I am very sorry for your loss, and my deepest condolences go out to you and your family during this difficult time... and God bless you and yours!
(a fellow member of Random Acts of Comments!)
(from random acts)