Goodbye Grandpa George

My Grandpa passed away late Monday night.  He had fallen at home in the middle of the night early Monday morning.  He called my mom for help and when she went over, he was laying with his legs in the shape of a 4.  He was in so much pain, my mom called the Hospice nurse and they thought it was best to call 911.  He went to McKay and was evaluated and had a fracture in his pelvic bone.  It's a very painful fracture and he was admitted.  It took several different medications to get him comfortable. He was very sleepy and sedated.  I went to visit him Monday morning after a staff meeting and he wouldn't wake up.  My mom asked to hold on giving the morphine to see if he would wake up at all, but when we went to visit as a family that evening he wasn't responsive.  He was breathing very labored and although he wasn't restless, you could tell he was ready to go.  We stayed for several hours at his bedside.  Sophie had treats and was watching some shows.

After we left they realized his IV had infiltrated and he was becoming very restless and my mom said he was miserable.  He still wouldn't wake up but he was having an increase in his labored breathing and was grimacing.  They finally got an IV and gave him a big dose of morphine.  That helped to get him comfortable.  They turned down the oxygen at my mom's request and he started to breath shallow and less and less.  He passed away that night shortly after.  He is in a much better place and he is with my Grandma and all the other relatives.  I know that Heavenly Father has him out on a big Massey Ferguson Tractor in the fields farming.  I know that I can be with him again someday.  We have been telling Sophie that Grandpa is in Heaven with Jesus.  I think she has a limited understanding of what that means.  She was so special to him.  We were over there so often and they just had a unique, special relationship.  He loved her and she would brighten up his entire day.  We will miss Grandpa so much but are trying to realize and understand that he is in a much better place, has his mobility back and is so much happier.

Despite a few dramatic speed-bumps in the family, we were able to clean out his home and prepare for the funeral.  The viewing and graveside services went really well.  What an honor to have the Military there and to have such a spiritual flag ceremony.  We will miss you Grandpa!

Sophie looked so cute for the funeral.  Afterwards our close family got together to hang out and it was fun to spend time together and think about Grandpa and all the great things he taught us and the example he was to us.