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Friday, May 28, 2010

My Grandpa

Paying tribute to my wonderful Grandpa, Alvin K Mach who passed away yesterday at age 94. We called him "Superman." He was a dentist, and the one who fixed my front tooth when I chipped it in 6th grade. He was a gentle soul with sparkling eyes. He will be missed by all who knew him. My brother's wedding is next weekend, so the funeral is being post-poned a week. (I think Grandpa would have gotten a kick to know that we were talking of "putting him on ice" for a while so we could get our ducks in a row!)

Speaking of ducks...Grandpa loved ducks. And when we used to go fishing, or out and about wherever we were..he'd shushshshhhh us and tell us "shhhhh! you'll scare the birds!" or "Shhhhh! you'll scare the fish!" All of these memories are just flooding back, and I'm sitting here with a lump in my throat the size of Australia.

I'm not scheduled to be anywhere else between the 8th and the 17th of June....so I'm hoping they will plan the funeral in that window so that I can head to Minnesota to be with family. Those family heartstrings are so strong, aren't they?

When my mom told me this morning...and said that she wants me to be there, needs me to be there, I tell you, there is no where else on earth I want to be.

He's been in the nursing home for quite some time. It's not a shock that he has passed, it's an acknowledgment of the life he has lead, and how he filled it all the way to the end, until his body was just so worn out it just needed to rest.

I'll miss you Grandpa!

Love,

35 comments:

  1. So sad to have a grandparent die. May many good memories flood your days.

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  2. So sad to have a grandparent die. May many good memories flood your days.

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  3. Oh dear...that's tough. :'( So sorry!

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  4. Bonnie, my deepest sympathies to you and your family. I hope your happy memories of your grandfather carry you through this difficult time.

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  5. I'm so sorry, my grandma is 94 she's also in a nursery home, we don't see as much as we want to. the important thing is that we remembered those we love. a big hug

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  6. what a lovely tribut to him ...bless you
    hugs
    caroline

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  7. Bonnie, I'm sorry for your loss and I'm hopeful you'll be able to be with your family.

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  8. I'm so sorry for your loss Bonnie.

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  9. Here's hoping the plans fit your schedule so that you can be with your family at this sad time. My prayers go with you. I had two special Grandpas who passed before I was out of Jr High, way too long ago...the memories keep them alive in my heart. Share all you can as you celebrate his life.

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  10. My thoughts are with you and your family now. I had a grampa Alvin too, altho he kinda scared me. *S* I'm glad yours was nicer.

    My dad is 94 this year and we're hoping for a few more for him. It's so sad to have generations disappear, isn't it?

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  11. Bonnie -

    So sorry to hear about your grandfather but glad that you have good memories to help you through this. We thought we were going to lose my grandma yesterday (HUGE kidney infection) - but she made it through surgery and through the night.

    Enjoy your down time! You have been running around like the energizer bunny lately! Sit still a while!

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  12. Prayers and hugs for you, Bonnie. I am sorry about your grandfather.

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  13. Bonnie, what a blessing your Grandpa sounds to me. I had one, and like a previous post he was cantankerous...to use one of Grandma's words. Celebrate his life and know comfort.
    What a strange coincidence, a nephew is marrying in 2 weeks and his 8year old nephew passed yesterday. I still don't know the plans, but what a strange feeling to be trying to celebrate a new future while feeling an empty spot from the loss.

    Blessings

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  14. Sorry for your loss, Bonnie.
    Hugs from Denmark,

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  15. I am so sorry for your loss. Your memories are wonderful to hold on to :)

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  16. I'm so sorry for your loss Bonnie. I hope happy memories help heal your heart.

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  17. My deepest sympathies for your loss, dear Bonnie. This will be a bittersweet time for you, both a funeral and a wedding to attend in the same timeframe. I'm so glad you have so many happy memories!

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  18. Sorry to hear about your loss...but it sounds like he left a "footprint" on your heart...

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  19. Cherish those memories. You may even want to journal them because as time goes by, they slowly fade away. Blessings.

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  20. Bonnie, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Grandpa. I am so glad that you have some loving memories of him.

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  21. It's clear how much you love him, and how special he was - and is, somewhere........You wrote a beautiful tribute to him and I certainly hope you get to be at the funeral and with your family!

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  22. You knew him well and he was obviously well loved. What a great way to live life to the fullest--94! My grandma passed away last fall at the age of 92. I miss her a lot as she sewed and quilted and we were close until dementia began to take her away. I hope you do get to be with your family to reminisce and share your loss.

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  23. My sympathies to you and your family. It is so very hard to loose a loved one. If you have read the poem "I'm Free," take comfort in the lines - God wanted me now, He set me free.

    Sharie - Moss Bluff

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  24. Oh dear Bonnie, the last piece you said was so sweet.....it's an acknowledgment of the life he has lead.How wonderful...life is a curious thing and death is part of life.Hugs to you.

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  25. My heart goes out to you and your family - I guess that he had a wonderful life. His body is too worn but his spirit lives on. Your post is very touching.

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  26. Oh Bonnie, T & P's to you and your family. Very touching story, thanks for sharing.

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  27. I am so sorry for your loss..go, by all means, go. Please know I am praying for peace for you and your family.

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  28. Bonnie, I'm so sorry hear about your grandfather. Hope the plans work out so you can go be with family.

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  29. That's a great tribute to your grandpa!

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  30. Bonnie, my thoughts are with you and your family. I hopeyour happy memories help you through this difficult time.

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  31. Bonnie, I'm so sorry to hear of your dear grandpa's passing! It is always hard losing them, no matter how old they are. Your memories of him are precious and will pop into your mind often for many years to come. I can attest to that. I also had a special bond with my grandpa and will never forget him.

    Blessing to you and your family!

    Hugs, Karen

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  32. Anonymous2:26 AM EDT

    Sorry to hear about your loss and will be thinking of you all.

    quilting hugs
    Christine

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  33. I just read this about your grandpa, Bonnie. I am truly sorry about the losses you're going through right now. Through the grief I'm certain you have many wonderful memories to strengthen you.

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  34. It doesn't matter how old someone is, or whether or not a person has been in good health, losing someone you love - and someone who has been part of your growing up - is just so, so hard. My heart is with you and your family.

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  35. Sorry to hear about your loss, but what a nice tribute to your grandpa.

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