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Post by thegreyelf on Oct 22, 2009 9:26:19 GMT -6
I just got word that my wife Julie's grandfather died this morning. Julie's dad died of leukemia when she was 5; since then, despite living in Louisiana, her grandfather has been like a father figure to her.
His health has declined in recent months, with him suffering a stroke this summer. He seemed at first to recover fully with no ill effects, but then was stricken with dementia and body control issues a week later. He had to be put in a home.
He was somewhat belligerent about having to be there and generally upset and confused about what was happening to him (he's always been a very strong man), but didn't seem to be in further or serious declining health besides that. We were supposed to go down there over the holidays so I could finally meet him after all these years.
Now, out of the blue, he's gone.
She's in a very bad way and my heart is broken for her, and I'm rather upset that I'm never going to get to meet this man who had such a profound effect on the life of the woman I love. I don't even know if we'll be able to get down there for a funeral--neither of us have time off to use. She may be able to finagle bereavement leave at her job, but they won't likely give me bereavement leave here for my wife's relative, and I don't have any vacation or personal time to use, currently.
Maybe I should've skipped Gen Con this year.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2009 10:51:44 GMT -6
Aww, hell. That's just too bad. My deepest sympathies to your family and yourself in this time of loss.
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Drohem
Level 1 Medium
Posts: 16
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Post by Drohem on Oct 22, 2009 11:13:38 GMT -6
Yeah, sorry to hear about that. Losing a grandparent can be very devastating. My wife lost her paternal grandmother this summer and it was very difficult for her. It's difficult on the spouse as well since you want to take the hurt away, but you can't.
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Post by thegreyelf on Oct 22, 2009 12:16:40 GMT -6
Thanks, everyone. We've had a rough couple of years, with some nice things interspersed. It'd be nice if, after this, things actually went really right for us, just for awhile.
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Post by amalric on Oct 22, 2009 15:46:28 GMT -6
My heart goes out to you, man. My dad passed away back in '93, after a series of strokes, mounting dementia/body control issues, and what must have been Alzheimer's, though it was never officially diagnosed as such - it's a hell of a way to go. I'd only just started dating the girl who's now my wife, and she never met him, so I hear you, and feel for you both.
The road goes ever on, as someone once said...
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Post by Ghul on Oct 22, 2009 17:43:36 GMT -6
Please accept my condolences, Jason. Best wishes to you and your family.
--Jeff Talanian
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Post by aldarron on Oct 22, 2009 19:38:07 GMT -6
Maybe I should've skipped Gen Con this year. Sincere condolences Jason. There's no point in second guessing yourself if it makes you feel guilty. Life is like that - unpredictable. Just be there for your wife and talk to your boss - maybe you can make up the hours or something.
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Post by geoffrey on Oct 22, 2009 21:37:21 GMT -6
Blessings to you all, Jason.
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Post by thegreyelf on Oct 23, 2009 8:04:19 GMT -6
Thanks again, all.
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Post by kenmeister on Oct 23, 2009 8:16:33 GMT -6
Maybe I should've skipped Gen Con this year. Sincere condolences Jason. There's no point in second guessing yourself if it makes you feel guilty. Life is like that - unpredictable. Just be there for your wife and talk to your boss - maybe you can make up the hours or something. That's what I was going to say. Maybe you can get an arrangement to work eight 9 hour days so you can make up the time? Or a weekend day?
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Post by chgowiz on Oct 23, 2009 8:53:08 GMT -6
My condolences and heartfelt wishes that you and yours find some peace. It always seems like life is going to whap you around a bit - you all can draw together and gain strength from each other.
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Post by blissinfinite on Oct 23, 2009 10:36:08 GMT -6
Jason, my thoughts go out to you, your wife and family.
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Post by thegreyelf on Oct 23, 2009 12:06:39 GMT -6
Turns out there's not going to be a funeral. His wishes were to be cremated, so sometime next month we are going to take a weekend trip to Maryland to scatter the ashes.
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Matthew
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Master of the Silver Blade
Posts: 254
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Post by Matthew on Oct 24, 2009 11:11:15 GMT -6
Condolences and best wishes for the future.
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