Death

I was getting ready to crawl in bed last night when I noticed my phone had a missed call. When I saw who it was I immediately knew what was coming. I called my mom back and she told me that my great grandpa, Jack Holliday, had died.

I've known for awhile that he hadn't been doing very well. My Uncle Tom called 2 weeks ago to let us know that he had taken a turn for the worse. As much as you can prepare for death it still affects you greatly. I think I'm at a disadvantage because I don't handle any death very well. I'm terrified of it, and I think that makes me more vunerable to the grief that comes with it.

I have so many memories of Poppa Jack. We used to eat dinner with him every once in awhile. My brother and I used to ride a stationary bike he had in the corner of the front living room. I liked going in the back corner room and looking at all the pictures he had in frames on the dressed. And my favorite thing to play with was a bean bag frog that my great grandma had made. He had a box of toys specifically for when kids were over... toys that my mom had played with when she was a child. I can remember where every piece of furniture in his house was and how it smelled. He used to make angel food cakes for every birthday and always had a can of cherry pie filling to go with it. Poppa Jack's birthday was a day before mine so we almost always celebrated together. Even though he was my great grandpa we were very close with him. We were all very sad when my Uncle Tom moved him out to Ft. Collins to take care of him and knew that it would be the last time he was in Wichita alive. Going out there last summer I knew it was the last time I'd ever see him.

I know Poppa Jack is in a better place. I'm so very thankful he is walking with Jesus and reunited with his wife, daughter, and son. I will miss him very much.