Friday, October 11, 2013

remembering grandpa herbie

I know I'm really late with today's post (so late, in fact, that it's almost tomorrow!)
 but I didn't feel like writing until now. Today's post was supposed to be about 
thrifting fun with friend, Penny again. We both found some lovely treasures
yesterday morning. However, yesterday afternoon I got a phone call
from my mom telling me that my grandpa had passed away.


Grandpa Herbie was one of those people you thought would live "forever".
We thought he'd at least live to be 100 - and he almost made it! He would've
been 98 in December. He was an amazing and always active man, welder by
 trade during his working years. He made the most beautiful ornamental railings ~ 
including for our church and even the Art Institute of Chicago.  Even into his 80's
 and 90's, living in Kentucky on his own, he was always up to something...riding
 his motorcycle, bowling, golfing, playing cornhole, reading his Bible and arguing 
with the Baptist preachers, building a couple of houses, had a vineyard and made 
his own wine, maintained an apple orchard, raised ostriches, had a saw mill and
 built a tree house just a few years ago...the list could go on.

 When I was a little girl, Grandpa would take me and my sister to the carnival
 and play those over-priced games to try and win us a stuffed animal. One time
 he won a gigantic brown teddy bear for me that I promptly named Honey Bear. 
Honey Bear was perfect for burying my face into when there were thunderstorms
 at night so that I wouldn't see the lightning. Grandpa would also take us out
for ice cream at the local ice cream parlor in the evenings - a big deal back in 
the late 60's and early 70's. And one of the most fun things of all ~ Grandpa had
 a huge BMW motorcycle and would take us kids one by one for a ride on the back
of that bike. We'd ride all around the neighborhood, wind flying through my hair.
(This was back before helmet laws - even for kids!) I loved putting my arms
 around Grandpa's waist and holding on for dear life. The only thing I was afraid of
was the possibility of getting my leg burned on the muffler.


I know my grandpa lived a long, good life. And that I was very blessed to
have a grandparent still around at my age.
I'll be back probably on Sunday with thrifting news. In the meantime, if 
you feel inclined to send out prayers or good thoughts for my family
at this time, I'd appreciate it so much. Thank you, my blogging friends.

22 comments:

  1. Prayers to you and your family Melanie. Even when we know these times are coming, it doesn't make it any easier. Praying peace and blessings for you all.

    Judy

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  2. How lucky you were to have enjoyed your grandfather's presence all these years and have such wonderful memories! I'm sorry for your loss and hope it gets easier as time goes by.

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  3. Grandpa Herbie sounds like one in a million. What wonderful memories you have of a great man. My thoughts are with you.

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    1. He was definitely a wonderful and unique man! Thanks, Carol.

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  4. Sending prayers for Grandpa Herbie. He sounds like a most interesting man. He lived to a ripe old age because of his many interests in life. He must have been wonderful.
    Thinking of you, Melanie,
    Balisha

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    1. Thank you, Balisha. Yes, being so active and having so many interests kept him young!

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  5. I'm so sorry for you loss, Melanie. Your grandpa sounds like we was a wonderful man...someone I would have enjoyed knowing.

    I had that same fear of burning my leg on the muffler when I'd ride along with my dad.

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    1. Thank you, Sharon - Grandpa was a man that everyone liked! Friendly, kind, and so many interests.

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  6. Melanie,

    What a beautiful tribute to your grandpa Herbie, who you loved and cherished, as you are lucky that he lived such a long and interesting life, a life in which he created such tender and loving memories for his loved ones to carry with them in theirs. I enjoyed reading all about his many activities and the time he devoted to his grandchildren. Hold on to those times, Melanie, just like you did when he took you for those little spins to the ice cream parlour; they will hug YOU forever!

    Sending prayers to you and your family.

    xo
    Poppy
    PS: Thank you so very much for your sweet comments on my guest post at Savvy Southern Style!

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    1. Thank you for such sweet words of comfort, Poppy.

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  7. I am so sorry for your loss. What a wonder man and what wonderful memories.
    The men and women of that generation had/have so much to teach us.
    I just found your blog this morning while having coffee. What a treat. I am a new follower.
    Enjoyed visiting,
    Laura
    White Spray Paint blog

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    1. Hi Laura, it is so nice to meet you! Thank you for becoming my latest follower. I hope that you'll enjoy my blog and getting to know me better. I'll pop over and visit you now!

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  8. I read the post in a hurry this morning and thought of you all day. It's sad news, but you were also so lucky to have a grandfather for so long. I hope you'll find comfort in the memories you have of him and in watching his picture, because he looks like such a jolly man here!

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    1. Thank you so much for thinking about me, Magali. I agree that I was very lucky to have my grandpa as long as I did. And you're right - he was always smiling and happy!

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  9. Melanie,
    What a dear man your grandfather was and such a lovely tribute to his talent, integrity, love and career. How neat for you to have such fond memories of time spent with him, he indeed was a lucky man to have you as his granddaughter!
    Thinking of you with many warm thoughts-
    Jemma

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    1. Thank you so much for your sweet words of comfort, Joyce.

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  10. I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss. Your Grandpa Herbie sounds like a wonderful person.
    Sending you my thoughts and prayers.

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    1. Thank you, Maggie for your thoughts and prayers. I really appreciate it.

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  11. Melanie--I'm so sorry for your loss. You have shared so many stories of this AMAZING man over the years. He was one-of-a-kind. Hugs to you, your mom, the Aunts, etc.

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    1. Thanks you so much, Andrea for your condolences and hugs.

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a kind comment - I read and appreciate each one!