Theme Thursday = Birthday

Birth Of Venus - William Bouguereau
1879

Neither fire nor wind,

birth nor death

can erase our good deeds.

Buddha

This theme has made me think of all those times
growing up, all the relatives would get together.
Seemed like almost every week end we'd visit
or have someone over.

This is my grandfather. He died when I was either
11 or 12 I think. He had already had a few heart
attacks and would not give up working.

One day I was home and my grandmother called.
She mentioned something about my grandfather
slumping over or something. I asked if she had
called the hospital and she said no. I told her to
hang up and I did so. My parents had all the phone
numbers over the phone. Unfortunately, it was too
late, but they had been on the couch and he had
his arms around her. I'm thinking he died a
happy man, with the woman he cherished
most in this world.

My grandmother outlived my grandfather by too
many years for me to remember. Despite that
and until the day she died, she always said my
grandfather was her only love.

I never understood why until recently and
now know why she felt the way she did.

The last 13 yrs for me with L, must have felt
the same for her and my grandfather.
When you get lucky and the stars align,
it's much to be thankful for.

Again, I can't remember the actual age,
but believe she was around 85 when she died.
My grandfather was in his 60s.

She was living at my moms and her last
years were spent not speaking.
I went to visit her for the last time
and was told by my mom I needed to
raise my voice, because she couldn't hear.

I sat down next to her and don't remember
anything except her smile and the squeeze she
gave my hand. I get chills still thinking
about it and know she was telling me
everything about life in that gentle
squeeze.

I am remembering the birth of two
of the most beautiful people I've had
the experience to know and spend
time with. I learned a lot from them
about life and relationships.

Thank You, wherever you are!

Here On Earth (I'll Have My Cake)
Crash Test Dummies




Cheap Trick - Within You, Without You