Remembering Pop

We've had a rough past couple of weeks. We're just now getting settled back home after 3 visits to Illinois in 4 weeks' time. Matt's father had a heart attack a couple weeks ago. When we got the call, we drove there the next morning. At the time we thought we were just going to be there to check on Andy and keep him company, and any reason to bring Henry to visit his grandparents, right?! Andy was readmitted into the hospital the next week due to symptoms of what seemed to be a blood clot. He passed away unexpectedly hours later, on April 3. Heaven welcomed another "Big Chief".

For reasons we will never know, the Lord knew it was Andy's time to go. That last week we got to spend with him in the hospital now has new meaning. Things we brushed off as just keeping him company now mean so much more- random chatting in between visits from friends and family, quiet moments of solitude, the visit of the Chaplin where Andy reassured him {and us} that if anything were to happen he'd be going to heaven. Those moments that seemed routine- his fountain soda sitting on the table, enjoying his hospital meal, and holding his bouncing grandson on his knee, trying to keep Henry from pulling his IV out of his hand, I'll now hold these memories close to my heart. We casually took pictures during that week, and now I'm so glad we did. I cannot get myself to delete even the blurry ones. Those mark the last time we hugged him and saw his smile. I swear he could light up a room. It'll be tough to move on with life without this remarkable man, but I knew he'd want everyone to do just that.

We are so blessed to have gotten to have Andy for our little family's special moments- he got to be there for Matt's military moments, Matt's first house in KY, our wedding, and our first baby. We are so thankful for all that time we got to spend with him. His last week of life was spent with people he loves and I'm pretty sure that he would't have had it any other way. He haphazardly made a comment that last week in the hospital, "All these visitors coming to see me, you'd think it was my funeral." That's where he was wrong-there were MANY more visitors at his funeral. He was well loved, and it showed.

My heart breaks for the people he left behind, and a great deal for my son. Henry will never know the man that helped shape his father, the man that influenced so many people. But I'm sure Matt will be able to pass on all things he learned from his father, interjecting those Andy-moments, keeping his memory alive. Henry, even though you will never know your Poppa, he loved you SO SO much and it showed at the visitation when people came up to me asking if this was the infamous Henry that his proud Poppa talked about.

Matt said it right- "It's not about quantity, it's about quality", referring to his father's life. Andy lived a full life even though he was only afforded a short amount of years.

We love you, Andy, and you are greatly missed. Our life was better because you were in it. While you're in heaven, say hello to my dad. It's been a long time, but I'm sure he'd love your company. And if you get a moment in your busy day hanging out with your loved ones there, can you send a few spirit hugs to your son? I'm sure he'll need those from time to time.

Heisel Rules!