Great Grandpa

My Great Grandpa just passed away and he will be terribly missed. He was an inspiration to me. He lived 95 years and he had a very full life. He was able to live to meet great great grandchildren and show them the unconditional love he gave all of us. I will always remember how he took the time to save all of the artwork/letters/cards that we sent him. I was priviledged enough to be able to call him a couple of days before he passed. My Aunt Nancy told us that he wasn't answering his phone anymore but that he did listen to his messages. I decided that I had better call and tell him how much I loved him. To my surprise, he answered the phone! The call meant more to me than I can ever explain. Just to hear him call me "doll" one last time will be something that will carry me through this tough time. I know he is up there giving my Grandpa a big hug right now, and I hope they are enjoying their new time together. They were great men who loved their families like their was no one else in the world. They always made us feel like we were exceptional people and I think that is what drove me to medical school. Their encouragment made me feel like I was invincible. My Great Grandpa met a lot of great people, but I think people will remember him most for how he made them feel. I am sure that he had his faults since he was human, although I never saw any of them. So to me, he was superhuman. I love you Great Granpa! I bet you are giving a big kiss to Great Grandma and Grandpa! You have meant the world to me and I feel as though a piece of you will always be with me. You are, after all, the reason that I gave Raleigh your middle name. I hope that we can all grow up to be as beautiful of people as you were!