Grandpa

Girls you missed out big time.

Grandpa used to be so different.  I wish you had known him before this ugly disease took hold of him.  You have no idea how different he would have been w/o Parkinson's.  He is a can do guy and this crap has changed him into someone totally different.

If Grandpa was healthy, he would have been the first one I would call for help when I needed it.  He would have watched you girls and loved it.  He would have taken you for walks, teased you, tickled you, kissed you, and hugged you.  He loves the hugs and kisses you give him now and it makes his heart glad.  But, I know it makes him sad that he can't be the Grandpa to you that he was to his other grandchildren. 

You know those times when the snow was high or the car wouldn't start?  Grandpa would have been the person I called.  Heck he would have been there without me even having to call.  He had been known to mow my lawn at the Cromwell house as well as shovel snow before I even got home from work.  He cleaned up all the overgrown bushes, fixed the plumbing, built a new wall in the basement and basically made sure that house was safe. 

When I was just home with you Elizabeth, Poppa could still drive and he would come over just to see you and play with you Elizabeth and you loved it.  He took you for walks and entertained you so I could get some stuff done.  By the time you came home Ella, Poppa was mostly in a wheelchair.  But the two of you connected like your hearts had known each other before.  I hope you both know how important you are to Poppa and how much your love makes his day!

Yesterday when we visited Poppa at his nursing home, he told me he wanted his Parkinson's to end. He also said it must be confusing to you guys that he can't walk when he wants.   I hope you two remember the grace and strength that Poppa has shown in this fight.

Let's pray that God shows the way for a cure for Parkinson's so other families don't know this pain.