On November 28th my Grandpa Nelson passed away. It was a blessing, the last few months he really hadn't been doing very well. I am currently collecting pictures and memories from my family for a book I am making my Grandma for Christmas. It is a great way to remember what a great man he was. He would do anything for you, and although he was stern and gruff at times, he had such a special place in his heart for his great-grand kids. When Allee was 2 I worked one day a week, and Great and Grandpa would babysit her. Every morning my grandpa would bring her hot cocoa from the coffee shop where he would be having hot chocolate with his friends. It never failed just as I was saying goodbye in he would come with a mug for her. Pierce loved Grandpa and was never afraid of his gruff voice and was ever curious about his oxygen hose. The first thing he would do when we walked in was go over to Grandpa's chair and give him a hug.
Grandpa was able to meet Layla about two weeks before he passed away. What a blessing. He commented on how beautiful she was and was able to hold her for a few moments. I could tell at that time that he wasn't doing very well because he let her keep her pacifier in her mouth (Grandpa despised pacifiers!) It was always a joke that you had better take the paci out before you handed the baby to Grandpa or he would pull it out himself.
I will miss my Grandpa so very much. Hopefully I can share all my memories with my kids, and keep theirs alive so they will always remember what a great man he was.
