He was a good man

...and a wonderful grandfather. He was human, so of course he had his faults, but I will miss him and I know lots of others will too. As I snuggled in bed with Sam this morning and told him that his great grandfather had died, he had a few tears. I reminded him that both his mother and he were named after his grandpa Kelly and that he will live on in all those who loved him.

I last saw him a month or so ago, when I drove Kelly (Slessor) up to visit him after her laser eye surgery. After hugging her, he asked how her mom and dad were, especially her mom. She said, she's right here and he proceeded to take my hand as we walked down the hall. We walked outside in the sun and he fell asleep on a bench in the sun, with his granddaughter brushing his hair.

That visit was a gift to me, as things have not always been easy between us. In later years, he made it clear that he really wanted me to be happy. He hasn't been the same since Audrey died, and as his dementia worsened, he wanted to live less and less. I admit that I'm grateful that he didn't have to linger through that for years like mom did. Wherever/ whatever he is now has to be better than that.

I think most children take their grandparents for granted, as I think they should. I'm grateful that my kids got to know him as adults, as they have a much deeper appreciation for who he was. Rest well, Kelly Crowe, and say hi to mom and dad.

Love, elly