Wringing the Life Out of Every Day

February 8, 2007 | family

My grandfather passed away nearly two weeks ago. Yesterday I went to the funeral. He was eighty-one years-old, and as sad as I am to lose him I can not help but be impressed by the life he had.

He was a man’s man, that’s for sure. He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, skiing. I have a very fond memory of him taking me out on a snowmobile when I was seven. He loved the sea, he loved woodworking. He built the cottage my family vacationed in for more than fifteen years. Last summer we rented a cottage on the same lake and drove by our old cottage in the boat. It’s been added to, but the bones are still there as strong as ever.

Yet my grandfather had an arty side also. He had lovely voice, performed in local theatre and he wrote beautiful poetry.

He adored my grandmother and when he lost her two years ago it literally brought him to his knees. But he stood up and he kept going.

Now that he’s gone, I will miss him every day. But I will remember all that he taught us. To work hard, to love your family and to get out there and truly live life.