Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Hard Day

Eli's middle name is David, named after the many Davids in my family, but especially after my grandpa David Marshall Stuart. Eli was born on my grandpa's birthday, which we thought was pretty special.

My sweet grandpa passed away this morning. My parents and brother are flying out to Utah today to be with the family and to attend his funeral this weekend, but I am too pregnant to travel. I'm pretty sad that I can't be out there.

My wonderful grandma passed away a few years ago. Since then, my grandpa had remarried a really great woman, Judy. He was so lucky to have a few more years full of travel, fun, and companionship with her. I appreciate how much she did for my grandpa, especially in this last year as his health went downhill.

Some Memories of My Grandpa:

  • My earliest memories are from when I was really little - he and my grandma would visit us and he and I would walk to a nearby bakery to get donuts or cookies together. He was always happy to share treats me with me!
  • When I was at BYU, he always offered to take me/pick me up from the airport when I would travel home for holidays. It was a little scary at times because he was a slightly crazy driver, but he was always happy to help me
  • He and my grandma would take me out to breakfast every month or so (while I was in college) and those were always fun bonding moments
  • He loved Ben from the beginning (they met at one of our monthly breakfasts when I brought Ben along) - my grandpa had a PhD in Pharmacology, so he thought it was great that Ben was studying chemical engineering and that he also ended up pursuing a PhD.
  • Eli was his first great-grandchild, and my grandpa gave him a silver train bank with both of their names engraved on the end with their shared birthday. Eli loves that train and often holds it while we're in his room reading books together. Eli and I last saw my grandpa in May when we were in Utah.

    Instead of getting on an airplane, today I'm home with my now sick child. Last night he had a fever of 103, the chills, and was pretty miserable. This morning we went to the doctor and it appears to just be a virus. It's weird - one minute he is totally falling apart and seems wiped out, and the next minute he seems totally normal (like in the above picture I took this morning). He choked on his cheerios this morning, which made him gag and throw up his breakfast all over me, which was an added bonus. On the up side, it didn't smell as bad since he'd barely eaten it all :)

    I think today is a day to eat chocolate and try not to be too sad. I know that I'll see my grandpa again someday.

    And I hope this baby waits to come until at least next week after my parents are back from Utah.

13 comments:

Kell's Belles said...

Oh, Sarah! I am so sorry about your grandpa. And the fact that you can't be at the funeral and that Eli is so sick is just awful. I'm tearing up just thinking about it. Your day is beyond hard! I'm thinking of you and wishing you some super delicious chocolate.

The Yosts said...

That is a hard day! So sorry! Def. eat lots of chocolate, ice-cream, donuts, whatever you want!!!!

Rachael said...

I am sorry to hear about your grandpa and that you are not able to go to UT. I know what it is like to be away and miss things like this. Know that I am thinking of you.

kell-bell said...

Sarah, I'm so sorry to hear about your grandpa, but it's great that you have so many good memories of time spent with him, and that he got to meet Eli! Hope Eli feels better, give me a call if I can help!

Cami Severson said...

Sarah, I am so sorry to hear about your Grandpa. It is always so hard when you can't be there for the funeral, to celebrate his life, and miss him, with your family. I know that he understands and knows how much he means to you. Take care of yourself today, and love on Eli. The little guys always make things feel so much better.

Kerstin said...

Sarah I am so sad to hear. What a special namesake for Eli.

Young Family said...

I'm sorry to hear about your Grnadpa. That is to bad you can't attend the funeral. Know that I am thinking about you.

Sarah Beck said...

Your grandpa sounded like such a nice man. I'm sorry that you can't be at the funeral :( Hope Eli gets better too before your new little one decides to come!

Mostess Mommy said...

Oh Sarah, I am so sorry you lost your Grandpa and that you can't go to your Grandpa's funeral. Sounds like you could use some key lime coconut patties, too....

Katie said...

Hi Sarah. So sorry to hear about your grandpa. My grandpa who I felt really close to passed away while I was in Australia, and I was unable to get home for his funeral, which was so hard. I think I shed many more tears for being away than I would have if I could have been there.

Good luck these next few days, and hope they baby will wait a week or two!

Jenna{Mommy in Manhattan} said...

Sorry to hear the news about your grandpa. You deserve as much chocolate as you can eat! Let me know if I can help.

Amber Snow said...

Oh, Sarah - I'm so sad for you. Especially since you can't be there for the funeral. I remember meeting your grandparents. They were so sweet. I hope you are able to cherish all the great memories. That is a darling picture of Eli and his Great Grandpa. Love you!

Laura said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandpa, Sarah! My Grandpa passed away right after we moved here to Oregon. Aaron was out of town on a business trip, and there was no possible way for me to go to Utah for the funeral. It was so hard to not be there because I felt especially close to this grandpa. My grandparents lived a block away from the U, and I would walk down there at least once a week to visit and each lunch with them.

Anyway, I sort of know how it feels to not be able to be there. I'm sorry. And I hope Eli feels better soon. And that the baby waits to make his debut for a few weeks!