Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Rest In Peace, My Sweet Grandpa

I knew this day would eventually arrive, but I sure didn’t think it would come so soon. On Monday afternoon, my grandfather took his last breath and passed from this earth to his heavenly home.

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Sunday was a hard day for me as I saw the signs - I knew it was coming soon. I didn’t sleep well at all on Sunday night and prayed that I would have just one more chance to speak with him to tell him how much I loved him. My prayer was granted and Monday morning, my dad and I were able to speak with my grandfather. We talked about eternity and in the midst of our tears, my grandfather cracked jokes and made us laugh. He saw our tears and asked if we knew something he didn’t. He wanted to know if the Doctors were telling us something they weren’t telling him. I didn’t need a Doctor to tell me what I was seeing, all the signs were there. He then informed us, “I’m not giving up, y’all don’t have to worry”. Sweet man. Despite his body shutting down, his mind was still there, even at the very end.

Throughout the morning on Monday, his breathing became labored and his speech grew slurred. Around 2 p.m., the aide and I turned him. I was holding his hand and as he opened his eyes to look up at me, he asked for the time. I told him that it was 2 o’clock and he asked why I wasn’t at work. I responded that it’s because I was with him! He brought my hand to his lips, he kissed my hand, then told me that I was his angel. I told him I loved him and that was the last time I heard him say he loved me too. 

As his respirations continued to decrease, my entire family remained by his side. I found the Cajun French version of Amazing Grace on my phone and played the 3 minute song all the way through. We were holding his hands as he took his final breath.

As we prepare for his funeral today, I’m not ready – I don’t think I’ll ever be ready. I know I was blessed to have my grandfather around for so much of my life and I will cherish the wonderful memories we shared together.

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Ogden Abshire, 92, was called to his Heavenly home surrounded by his loving family at 4:30 PM on Monday, July 1, 2013.

Mr. Abshire was born on July 8, 1920. He worked as a diesel mechanic for 32 years. Mr. Abshire attended Glad Tidings Church and St. Theodore Catholic Church where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Abshire played the guitar with Papa Joe Cairo and enjoyed fishing, gardening, and spending time with his family. He will always be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Mr. Abshire was preceded in death by his wife and 1 son. He leaves behind 3 children, 11 grand children, 20 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

“I thank my God in all my remembrances of you.” Philippians 1:3

23 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry for your loss Karen, may he rest in peace.

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  2. Oh no I'm so sorry :( what a beautifully worded post

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  3. Still sending thoughts and prayers. You were so lucky to have such a wonderful man in your life.

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  4. I am so glad you were able to be there with him as he passed on. He sounded like such a sweet man. My heart aches for your loss and rejoices for his soul and full life.

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  5. So very sorry for your loss Karen. Having just experienced a terrible loss in my family, I feel your sadness through your post. A day won't go by when you do not think about this special man. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

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  6. Thinking of you and your family today.

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  7. I'm so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful, sweet man he seemed to be. So thankful that you will see him again in heaven!

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  8. Peace to you and your family as you celebrate the life of a saint eternal! Holding you all in prayer!

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  9. This bought tears to my eyes this morning...I am so glad that you and your family were able to be there with him...and that he left this world peacefully surrounded by those he loved.

    The picture of him on the bench says it all...you can just sense his personality and kindness coming through it.

    Thinking about ya'll today....

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  10. I'm so glad you were able to be with him until the end Karen. It was like that for me when my Mam-ma passed away 6 years ago...I held her hand until the end. Unfortunately she wasn't really awake. She had alzheimers but right before she passed I was holding her hand and told her to squeeze it if she could hear me and knew it was me. She squeezed it! What comfort that gave me! It's so hard to lose someone you love...but it makes it a little easier when you know they are in heaven and you will see them again one day. I'm praying for you as you go through this day girl.

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  11. I bet that really meant a lot to him that you were there at the end. So sorry for your loss, sending you lots of hugs and will be thinking of you today. He sounds like a wonderful grandfather.

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  12. His smile is contagious! Seeing all the photos over the past few days really makes his personality shine through. Thinking of you and the family and hope the happy memories help with the mourning. <3

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  13. I'm so sorry Karen! I'll say some prayers for you and your family.

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  14. Sending hugs, love, and prayers your way <3

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  15. I have no words - just prayers and thoughts.

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  16. So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers to you and your family.

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  17. Praying for you and your family during this difficult time.

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  18. Karen, I'm so sorry to hear this sad news. Your story brought tears to my eyes. I'm praying for your grandpa and your family.

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  19. Karen, I am so sorry for your great loss. That is wonderful that you got to be with him during his final moments. You will be in my prayers:)

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  20. Karen, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. How amazing that you were able to be with your grandpa during his last few moments here on Earth.

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  21. I'm so glad you were able to see him and be with him until the end. My heart aches for you in this difficult time. One of my comfort verses - weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh. Prayers for you and your family.

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  22. He seems like such a sweet man Karen. You are so lucky to have had such a great grandfather in your life!

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  23. Karen, I am just now reading this and wanted to express my condolences. I also have to say that this was one of the sweetest stories of passing that I have ever heard! Your Grandfather obviously sewed some fruitful seeds throughout his life to be so loved to the very end! May you and your cousins continue on in his legacy! And keep looking forward to your glorious reunion!

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