Dear Grandpa, 1920 - 2011



My darling Grandpa left us today to be with my Grandma.  He ached to be with her again, especially these past few days, when he talked of little else (besides cussing, that is).  He dreamt of her often and talked in his sleep... counting apples he was picking for her to bake him an apple pie.  I know that they are dancing, golfing, laughing and teasing each other somewhere right now.  And that the pain and frustration of the cancer is gone.  Who knows? Maybe he even has a new white rig.



Grandpa Dale and Grandma Helen - on their wedding day

No one could make you laugh, blush or generally feel happy like Grandpa could. And I mean ANYONE - 5 seconds in a room and he'd melted (or shocked) everyone's heart. :) 

I will miss that smile.  That smell - of cologne, listerine, and some whiskery kind of scent.  His stories. His jokes.  He told the best stories and jokes of anyone I have ever met.



dancing (one of his FAVORITE things) with my mom



During my days with him in June, we talked a lot.  Nearly non-stop.  A recurring theme was the advice to 'go with the flow'.  You  never know what life may bring, and usually it's going to end up good.  Just keep your eyes open, heart open, and never stop seeking.  Get out there and live life.  

with Ains - summer 2010



And he loved.... he LOVED... living life.  Life itself is a gift, and this man knew it.



with Ains - summer 2008

Yes, I will miss my Grandpa.  I already do.  But my soul smiles as I know he's happy with grandma again, and beginning new adventures of a kind unknown to the rest of us.  And I sigh, knowing that part of him is a part of me.  That I can carry him with me.  It was time, in the end, it was.  On the day of their 72nd wedding anniversary, no less. 

Good-bye, dear Grandpa.  Grandpa Kisky.  Grandpa Dale.  Curly.  I love you.  You lived a good life.

me and Gramps - at the Fair, summer 2008