Grandpa West

Just a few thoughts while driving home from Saskatoon . Well, Kim is driving. I am in the back with Nathaniel and Kyle is in the front sleeping. We all came up for a short visit to see Grandpa West. A couple of spots were found in his brain this week so we wanted to drive up for a quick visit.

I have to say that for a man who last year lost his wife last year, of 60 years, he looks well. We arrived to the hospital and I'm sure awoke him from a nap. Although he says he was awake. Naters was freaking out with the hospital beds and doctors around. So Kyle, Kim, Nate and me walked with grandpa to the atrium down the hall. While there Phyllis, Kate and Patrick showed up. We all just hung out and talked and laughed. It was a nice time. I was paying attention to grandpa while everyone was interacting and noticed he wasn't saying a whole lot. But I could see it in his face. It was a look of joy. Satisfaction. You could see it in his grin.

I have no idea what it was like growing up in the West home. I'm sure every member of that household has a distinct memory of what it was like. All six kids could surely tell you the same stories but with different viewpoints. All families have that. Mine sure does. So here I see an 87 year old man that just found out he has a brain tumor. Possibly more. And to most of us this the news we never want to hear. But this man watches his family sitting around a table talking and laughing. I don't know how grandpa West is feeling about this cancer because his response is one of a father who doesn't want his children to worry. He just wants to enjoy his family, the fruit of his labour. I don't think he likes living without grandma, the love of his long life. He can't change what has happened, so he enjoys what is now.

What is now. How many of us really do that. We seem to plan and work towards-------. You fill in the blank. I learned a lot from Kim's grandpa West this weekend. Often we see something or even experience something that moves us. Usually our lives don't really change from the experience. Our busy lives stay just that, busy. And if we actually make the effort to slow down, something will come up to hurry us back up again. Who really does just live for today. I'm talking about actually engaging in the now. Enjoying the moment. Being there when my wife is talking to me and not thinking about my next client. Oh yeah, you say. Easy to talk about but not reality. I hear it now. It's responsible to plan ahead, to plan for the future. I agree! Whole hearted. So make your plans. But don't live there! Don't be the one who says, one day. Enjoy now! Now will be the memories of tomorrow.

I thank grandpa West. I have only been a part of his life for three and a half years now and I have, not only had the honor of marrying his granddaughter and bringing him a new great grandson, but the privilege of mourning his wife with his family. If not for him and grandma, I would not be married to Kim and have Naters and Blueberry (what we call the baby in the womb). I am grateful. I hope I will actually learn from him and truly enjoy my family.

Surely grandpa won't be around forever. None of us will. So we enjoy his company and slow down to just... be.

The journey continues...