Monday, December 24, 2012

My Beloved Grandfather

This is time of miracles and renewed faith in the Lord Christ Our Savior. 

My Beloved Grandpa passed away peacefully on December 22nd, 2012.  My Nana, my two uncles, auntie and I were all with him since Thursday evening, watching and praying over him.  My mother arrived from Prince George on Friday and that was a miracle she even got there since it was the busiest time of year to fly. When she was on the phone with the airline, the said it would be an 1 hour 45 minute wait to get to an agent.  She prayed and she got through in 10 minutes.  The flight was delayed due to de-icing and backed up flights.  She arrived an hour and a half later and made it in time to see her father and say the Akathist to the Archangel Michael (who helps the soul prepare for the afterlife).  My Grandpa was waiting for my mom.  I know he was.  We left late on Friday night to get some rest and at 3:00 am, I knew when the phone rang that he had passed.  I think he was waiting to be alone with my Nana to pass away. 



My Grandpa was an amazing man.  He loved his family and the church with so much devotion.  He was an extremely talented man in music and highly intelligent as an economics professor at UBC.  He co-founded the CGA with a number of others and had written some economics books. He was beloved by his students for his fairness and gentle demeanor.  His love for education and UBC he passed to me and I was lucky to have him in my graduation procession.  I am a proud grand daughter!!


He ADORED my Nana and was often singing "My Irish Rose" to her at any given time.  He always bought her jewelry regardless of her protests of being frugal and he was a hopeless romantic.  He once said to me " Women are more intelligent than men and if the world was run by women we would not be in such a terrible state as we are."  Men are nothing without women.  That is what he said!

His love of music passed on to many of us and I will always remember getting a birthday call from Grandpa as the best part of my birthday.  He would phone and sing "Happy Birthday" in the most beautiful tenor voice....loud too!! Even as he mind faded away from Alzheimer's, music stayed with him until he could no longer speak.  He often would break into an operatic song and make us all jump at the clarity and virtuosity of his voice.  He played classical guitar on a very special guitar called a harp guitar.  It was owned by the famous Dr. Perot, it was given to my grandfather and it is now considered a museum piece.  He could have chosen to become a professional classical guitarist like the famous Julian Bream, whom he knew and studied with, but he chose my Nana and a family as his path in life.  
Me and My Grandpa's guitar.  Please forgive the bags under my eyes.
I will always remember him and his gentle, humble soul who inspires us all to become more like him.  He was a peacekeeper and despised any bickering or anger.  He loved the church and was a pious man.  He never missed going to church and never stopped fasting and praying. He was the choir conductor of our church and I used to love going up to the choir and watch my grandfather conduct and sing the church liturgy.  He also read the Epistle in church and read/chanted the readings in a voice that filled the church and the whole block!!
I love you Grandpa so much and I will always remember you.  You inspire me to become the best teacher I can be.  The best person I can be.  


Vechnaya Pamyat

Wait until 4:16 when all the voices come in.  My Grandpa would listen to Church Liturgical Music all the time.  

Memory Eternal!!!

я тебя люблю - I love you in Russian


Your Annushka

 (Please forgive my muddled posts...my mind is not thinking grammar right now...nor is it very eloquent)


48 comments:

♥ Nia said...

I'm so sorry for your loss sweetie.. my heart is with you.. I hope the good memories will confort your heart ♥

Kathy A. said...

And heaven welcomed a new tenor angel to the holy choir!
I am so sorry for your lost.

Lianne said...

Anne, I am so sorry for your loss. I can feel the love and tenderness that you feel for your grampa, it shines through your every word of him and all that he meant to you. My thoughts are with you and your family. Reading your posts, I know that your family will come together and find comfort and strength from one another.

valerie said...

Oh what sad news Anne. My condolences to you and your family. You wrote a wonderful tribute to your grandfather, so much so it brought tears to my eyes. He is in a happy place and I know you have many fond memories to fall back on. Hugs to you my dear friend.

mdgtjulie said...

You may not think it eloquent, but I do. You've made me feel for your grandfather. He sounds like a wonderful man, and I'm sure he'll be missed. I'm sorry for your loss, and I'm glad he was able to have his family around him when he was ill. My best thoughts and prayers go out to your and your family, Anne, at this difficult time. It's sad, and at the same time, you must be joyful. He is in heaven with his maker, and he is filled with the spirit. For a man such as you described, that is an amazing thing!!! Here's wishing you hope and love and peace on this Christmas holiday. I know there is lots of sadness, but also see the joy in giving and receiving this season. Sending you love and hugs from Ohio!!

Anonymous said...

Anne,
Your Grandfather is now standing next to God and the angels watching over all those who he loved.

He sounds like a very special person and you will always have fond memories of him to hold in your heart.

Hugs and Blessings to you and your family at this time.

Carolyn

cucki said...

I'm so sorry for your loss sweetie.. Thinking of you so much
Love and hugs x

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

I'm so sorry for your loss.
Your Grandad sounds like the most amazing man who will be missed by so many people and his family most of all.

I do believe people often wait to pass away until the right people are there, my Nana certainly did.

I think you've written the most amazing eulogy for your grandfather and he would be proud to read it and feel the love you have for him.

Keep your family close over the next few weeks, spend time remembering a special man and reminding yourselves of the love he had for each of you.

(((hugs)))

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

I'm so sorry for your loss.
Your Grandad sounds like the most amazing man who will be missed by so many people and his family most of all.

I do believe people often wait to pass away until the right people are there, my Nana certainly did.

I think you've written the most amazing eulogy for your grandfather and he would be proud to read it and feel the love you have for him.

Keep your family close over the next few weeks, spend time remembering a special man and reminding yourselves of the love he had for each of you.

(((hugs)))

Mouse said...

(((hugs))) it is never easy to loose a loved one and especially one as special as your grandfather .... take care my friend , it will get easier love mouse xxxxxx

Ann at Beadlework. said...

I think you are very eloquent Anne, what you said comes from your heart and that is the most eloquent form of writing there is. Take care.

Margaret said...

Oh Anne, I'm so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful post you have made though. And you know me -- I immediately focus on the music. Classical guitar! And he knew Julian Bream?! OMG!!! And that guitar! Absolutely amazing! I so wish I could have heard him sing and play his guitar. I know it must have been so special. Hugs to you, friend. I know you will miss him sorely.

Melissa said...

Oh Anne, I am so sorry to hear about your Grandpa! You've given a wonderful tribute to a remarkable and well loved man. I know you will miss him dearly but how lucky to have such wonderful memories of him!

A big hug to you!

marly said...

You have my sympathy for your loss. You have honored him with a very special and loving tribute, and it's obvious how much he influenced and loved his family.

Jane said...

Don't let your heart be sad Anne, be happy for having had such a special man in your life and treasure all the wonderful memories you have made with him, thinking of you xxx

Terri said...

So sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers!

Rowyn said...

Sending hugs your way at this sad time Anne.

Nicola said...

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal but love leaves a memory no one can steal.
May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through

Giovanna said...

My heartfelt condolences to you and your family - what a beautiful tribute to a beautiful man.

Sarah in Stitches said...

Anne, I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my grandfather three months ago, and I know what a heavy heart you must have right now. We are so blessed to have had such great men in our lives, aren't we? Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Chris said...

Dear Anne,
I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like your Grandfather was a wonderful amazing man.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Topcho said...

Oh dear, I'm so sorry for your loss. I read your post and felt all the emotion. It seems that your grandfather was truly a great, wonderful man that would be missed by many. My deepest condolences to you and your family. I'm sure that even in your sorrow you will keep it together and remember all the moments of joy you had.
Many hugs to you and take care~

Catherine said...

What a sweet tribute to your grandfather. He certainly sounds like a true gentleman with amazing talents. You all were very lucky to have such a man in your lives. Sending hugs...

Jennifer M. said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss and so close to Christmas too. Your story about him was so touching and beautiful. Heaven just gained another special angel.

Big Hugs to you. :)

Jen

The Inspired Stitcher said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss too. We lost my dear father-in-love last year on this very date. Please take time to allow yourself to grieve and remember all the good times. I'm sending great big hugs to you today and will send positive thoughts your way in the coming days too. {{Hugs}}

Barb said...

Anne, Your Grandfather sounds like an amazing man. I'm so happy you had him for many years. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Shebafudge said...

So sorry to hear of the passing of your grandpa. Thank you for sharing the special memories of him that you have.

Astrids dragon said...

What wonderful memories you have of your Grandfather, treasure them always.

Veronica said...

My condolences, Anne. Your post is indeed a lovely tribute your grandfather.

Hugs,
Veronica.

Ellen said...

So sorry to hear of your loss! Take time to remember all the good times!

Sending you hugs and prayers!

Vickie said...

Oh Anne. I am so sorry for you. You were so blessed to have your Grandpa in your life for so long.
The Memory Eternal is amazing. Thank you for sharing that.
It is hard, when our hearts hurt so much, but I know that you do know you can be happy,knowing he is in heaven.
Take good care of your Nana now.♥

Emma/Itzy said...

I am sorry for your loss, he sounds like an amazing man, and as you say you were all there to say your goodbyes and that will have meant so much to him.

Kathy Ellen said...

Anne, what a wonderful tribute to your very special grandfather. He sounds like an amazing man with such special gifts and talents. Now he is at peace, resting for all all eternity among the angels, singing 'Praises' in his beautiful tenor voice.

God Bless You and Your Family!

Tiki said...

My thoughts are with you.

Kaisievic said...

Dearest Anne, Your grandpa sounds like the most wonderful of men. It is so lovely that you have such treasured memories of him so that he will always be in your heart. My condolences to you and your family.

all my love, Kaye

Dani - tkdchick said...

What a wonderful dedication to your Grandfather, I'm sorry you lost such a special person in your life during the festive season! Many hugs.

Stitching Noni said...

Oh Anne, I am so sorry to read this terribly sad news. Your Grandad sounds amazing & he will leave a big hole in your life.
Cherish the memories. Your Grandad is safe in heaven & will watch over you fom high above.
My thoughts & prayers are with you
Hugs xx

Brigitte said...

This post is a wonderful tribute to your grandfather. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Carol said...

Oh, sweet Anne--how you must miss your grandfather. I can tell from your beautiful tribute just how dear he was to you... Such an intelligent man with a love of music--funny how much that sounds like my own dear father and both were struck with dementia. You were proud of him, but I'll bet he was even prouder of you. You are such a fine young lady and I'm sure that is, in part, due to his love and kindness...

Dwell on the happy memories you shared with him to help you through the sad moments. You were so blessed to have a grandpa like him.

Sending warm hugs and my thoughts and prayers for your entire family ♥♥♥

The Maiden said...

I am so sorry to hear of your loss, but touched none the less by your beautiful posting. My father was diagnosed with vascular dementia 2 years ago, so I can relate to your experience. All the best, you will be in my thoughts. Joy

Tracey said...

Your Grandfather sounds like he was such an amazing man! My thoughts go out to you and your family during this sad time. Take care...

Meari said...

My sincerest condolences on the loss of your grandfather. He sounds like he was a great man. I know you will miss him.

Karoline said...

What a wonderful tribute, I'm so sorry for your loss {{{Hugs}}}

Siobhán said...

Oh Anne, I am so, so sorry. Your grandfather sounds like a wonderful man, how blessed you were to have him and the family that he created. It sounds like he left a wonderful legacy behind in all of you. Today is the anniversary of my father's death and I was trying to talk myself out of going to Mass. I definitely will now, and will light a candle for your grandfather. Big hugs and lots of prayers for all of your family.

geeky Heather said...

This is a beautiful post, Anne. I'm sorry for your loss but happy that you are left with such wonderful memories of your grandfather. And the wonderful hope to see him again some day. =) {{{hugs}}}

Rita said...

My dear Anne, i'm so sorry for your loss....i know how you feel...i also lost my grandpa last september and it was not easy. There's not a single day that i don't think about him. Like yours, he was a great, great man...i loved him so much. And i have (we have) to think that they are in peace now and in a better place...it helps a little to the pain go a little away.
I wish you all the best and strenght.
Best wishes to you and your family.
Kisses

Valentina said...

Dear Anne, I'm so sorry for your loss. I've been through it last year when my beloved Nana passed away. They will always stay with us.
Big hugs!!!

Lynn said...

Oh Anne, I am so very sorry for your loss. Your Grandpa sounds like he was a wonderful man and I know there is a special place waiting for him in heaven. He was so blessed to have music in his life. Perhaps he'll direct the angels now.