A Time to Mourn

♫ Now playing in Jaimey's mind: Jordin Sparks ~ No Air ♫ 

My maternal grandpa died Saturday, November 19. He's the first grandparent I've lost. My own children lost their grandfather (my father-in-law) almost two years ago, but this is a first for me. He fought cancer and the cancer won, eventually. I suppose we all knew this would happen; he was 82 years old. Still, he gave it a serious fight before it prevailed.

Growing up, I had grandparents and great-grandparents. Every year, we enjoyed family reunions with my dad's side of the family and recently, with my mom's side of the family. Pictured here is my grandpa at our family gathering the summer of 2010.

Grandpa was a hunter, fisherman, trapper, and farmer. He loved nature.

He loved his family. He loved to spoil his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And he always smiled. I can't recall a time that he wasn't smiling.

It's so hard to believe he's gone. He will be greatly missed.