Friday, April 10, 2009

finally at rest.

My Papa passed away this morning very peacefully. I took off work yesterday because I knew the end was near, and I have never been so thankful in my life. Around 3 this morning he was experiencing some apnea and eventually quit breathing around 5. It was just like he was asleep. My Mom & sister said they have seen several people die and have never seen someone go so easily which brings a lot of peace to me & my family/

The night before last around 1 in the morning, we had a "family reunion" as he called it around his bed. He was very lucid so we took advantage of the situation. It was the most precious time I've ever spent with a person. He told us he loved us, was proud of us, everything that he hadn't really said that often (Papa was a very, very private man and much like my father, doesn't display his emotions). He looked at my sister and said "I love you" then looked at Dad and said "But I love him the most." It was something my father has waited a long time to hear.

Around 2, I was sitting by his bed and I asked him how he was "I've been a bad boy" he said. I asked him why and he said "I was at the barn with my brothers but I left because I didn't do it!" He had a sparkle in his eye and looked and acted just like a child. I guess he was remembering a time when he and his 3 brothers had been in trouble growing up. I couldn't help but smile.

We knew our time speaking to him was up so my Dad asked him if he wanted to lay down. Papa said "No, I just want to enjoy my last day here." He drifted off to sleep soon after and didn't wake up again. He opened his eyes a couple times yesterday and nodded his head, but he slept almost the entire day.

Obviously, we're all having a difficult time with this... especially Dad. However, we all know that he is in a much better place, had an amazing life, loved his family more than he could ever tell us and went very peacefully. That is all we could ever ask for.

Here are some of my favorite interesting tid-bits of information on my grandfather.

--Papa was a real life cowboy. He lived in Oklahoma until he went to college. He said the hardest thing he ever had to learn how to do was to sleep in a saddle.
--He was fluent in an Indian language (Choctaw, I think) and spoke it to us all of the time growing up. We never knew what the hell he was saying. He was also fluent German and I'm pretty sure Latin. He knew bits and pieces of other languages as well
--He received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in 1939, four years after graduating college. Yes, he skipped his master's!
--Papa had his first article published in a prestigious chemical magazine in 1938. Yep, before he was even a Dr.!!!!
--He worked at Kodak. While there he had at least 8 published articles (that I could find). He was granted 14 patents by the US & Canada in his first 6 years. Dad said he has upwards of 50 patents. Seriously, my grandfather was an inventor!
--He is one of the men (I believe there were 4 total) who perfected color film as we know it. We can all think Pops for no longer only having black & white photographs!
--He worked on the Manhattan Project. He mixed some of the chemicals such as the Uranium.

The funeral is Monday. Instead of mourning his death, I've decided to celebrate his life. Please pray for my family during these times. I know we'll be alright, we are at peace with his death.

Love,
Rose

17 comments:

Girl On A Journey said...

May he rest in peace. Celebrate his life and everything good and that will bring you joy and comfort

Jen Randall said...

sorry to hear the news, I know it's cliché but he's in a better place now and the pain and confusion is over. He sounds like an incredible man!! X

Kim said...

Peace.

Christina said...

My thoughts are with you.

The Dumbest Smart Girl You Know said...

Your Papa sounds like an amazing man! You were so lucky to know him!!! May he rest in peace.

Andhari said...

I'm sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. He really sounds like an amazing man.

Serena said...

Sorry for your loss but good to know that you will be celebrating and notmourning his life. Thinking of you and your family. x

LWLH said...

Your Papa sounded like a brilliant and loving man..I am happy to hear that he left this world peacefully and I will have you and your family in my thoughts and prayers!

If you ever need anything, I'm here! God bless you girl.

ZomBee said...

I am sorry for your loss.

When my father passed away in 03 he had spent the past year "unraveling". At the end he didn't know who he was, where he was or who anyone was.
I am thankful I had the opportunity to say my I love you's and goodbyes before his sickness took him away.
When he finally did pass he was no longer my father, just the vehicle he rode around in.
May God bless you.

Gina said...

What an amazing man! I am glad you know so much about him and have great memories to help you through this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Janet said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, but I'm glad he went peacefully and that all of you got to have that wonderful time with him the day before. Thanks for sharing the tidbits about his life. He was an amazing person. I miss my own grandpa so much. My thoughts are with you.

Joanie said...

You're grandpa lived a good life and that will be remembered. I'm sorry for the loss but I'm sure he is not resting in peace

My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Bridget said...

Good for you for deciding to celebrate his life. WHat a great way to go with your family surrounding you.

Sending big hugs.

Susan said...

What a great post for a great man. Thinking of you tomorrow...

Adlibby said...

Another great cowboy rode off into the sunset. He sounds like a truly amazing man. Love and hugs to you as you celebrate his life.

Farnnay said...

So sorry for your loss. But I'm glad to see that you and your family are coping well. Your family, as well as you, are in my thoughts.

Elaine at Lipstickdaily said...

What a lovely tribute . . . and what a wonderful and rare opportunity to really connect in the last moment's of a loved one's life. Thanks for sharing.

 
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