Today a man who meant a great deal to me died. He is finally at peace. A peace I don't think he has ever had in his entire life.
He gave me the stubbornness that I have
He gave me the love of growing things
He gave me my fight
He gave me my strength
And through him I have my beliefs in God and his great plan
We were so much alike and it caused some tough times but I wouldn't trade them away for anything. He also had a great sense of fun and I have that too.
I remember when He and my grandmother lived next door so many memories.
The big garden, the big red tractor that he let me drive, his geese, his giggle!! he built a pool for his family to enjoy, and always had something for me to do or help him with.
I was 4 years old and my mom left me with Grandpa while she went to the store. He said he would watch me. Mom came back and I was playing in a huge mud puddle. She said to him, "I thought you were going to watch her!" He said, "I am she is right there in the mud puddle!!" I helped by chiming in with a great big Hi mom!
Grandpa used to love this classical song that he would blare on his radio. I don't know the name of it but I could hum it. It was a lively one and he would boogie on down to it!
I remember his love of Popcorn. Always had to have his popcorn always.
When I was sick in the hospital (I was 8 or 9) I couldn't eat anything but ice chips and Popsicles. He would always sneak my a doughnut! My favorite one. He would stop in in the morning before work and give it to me.
I remember him crying and breaking down when he had decided that Grandma was not going to live on life support and took her off. I used that memory to get through losing Georgia I knew that if he can live beyond losing grandma then I can do it too after losing Georgia.
When driving with him he would always honk at anyone along side the road. I asked him once if he knew them, he said sure her name (it was usually a lady) is Gertrude. He never really knew them of course.
I went on many trips with my grandpa the one that stands out the most is going to pick up this lady named Sharon from Indiana and move her to Michigan (She later become my other grandma) He and I were going along some back road in who knows where with a bunch of curves, drop offs and no guard rails. I went to sleep (I was 12) when I woke up we were on the wrong side of the road, staring down a huge RV. I look over and he is asleep!! I just sat there staring I couldn't say anything. He woke up and bumped me in the arm and say Hey why didn't you wake me up?! Then he swerved!
So many memories, thank God for those.
I love the fact that his favorite color was green and that is what Georgia's birthstone is.
I have had a wonderful life full of family that cared/cares about me and my grandpa was one of them I will miss him very much. I know though that I will see him again and he will be complete, healthy and happy. I look forward to walking with him and being with him again when he can finally meet my baby girl. I know it hurt him very much to not be able to come and be with me when she died.
That man could infuriate me like no one else. But I loved him and I know he loved me, otherwise he would not have fought so hard to help my parents in shaping me to be who I am today.
Sleep well Grandpa and I will see you again. I love you
Charles Eugene Bailey April 17, 1930 - December 16, 2008
