Grandpa Barney

I will probably add to this as time goes along. I wanted to share that my Grandpa Barney passed away this past week. He was over 88 years of age. He hadn't had a lot of major health issues until the past 5 months. Since then, he had really struggled, then started feeling better, and had gone down hill, again. The best way for me to describe it was uncomfortable. I think he was just uncomfortable.

- Uncomfortable with some of his physical ailments. For a person who has spent his whole life doing things for himself and relying on his own hard work, it was uncomfortable to have others wait on you and to not be able to do some of the easiest tasks.

- Uncomfortable with some of the social aspects of life. Grandpa had his computer and loved receiving e-mails. His eye sight has gotten continually worse and he wasn't able to read the e-mails and letters from grandkids. He wasn't able to respond, anymore. Even his "hunt and peck" method of typing was no longer effective. He had to not respond or wait for someone to help him out.

- Uncomfortably alone. Grandpa had 9 kids and 54 direct grandkids. Even with that, his wife of over 50 years passed away about 10 years earlier. We all missed Grandma Barney .. in many ways. But, I think Grandpa surely missed her the most.

We were able to see Grandpa at Dawna's wedding in December 2007. He flew with Cheryl & Alan to Florida. What a trip! He was tired and getting old. But, he was glad to be there. What a blessing to have him there. He was one of the witnesses filling in for my Dad, who passed away in 1993. I have seen Grandpa a few times since. When he started having some health problems, I made it a point to go and visit him. It was nice. Although the visits were somewhat short (only a few hours) and didn't focus on anything really deep. It was good to just sit and chat with a person who has seen so many things in life. He has been through the depression, multiple international wars (including WWII where he participated in various campaigns, such as D-Day, Liberation of Paris, and Battle of the Bulge), and other hardhips. He has also witnessed many blessings of a wonderful wife (Grandma Barney!) and great kids and grandkids. Here is a picture of Grandpa receiving (2007) the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver award.

I am glad that Grandpa Barney is finally able to rest and spend some "comfortable" and joyous time with his loved ones. He can be with Grandma Barney. He can be with Dad. I will miss him, but am happy for him.