The other grandfather died.
You can’t make it up. Sometimes, I’m reading a Japanese novel, and I think, “This could never have happened. Never!” And then I look at my life and think, “But, it does.”
My husband took the photo of my mother and I with my father on January 15. (I am in the black shirt, she is in teal; people often confuse us since I am silver now.) He is strong, and no one is more amazed than I am. If you have been around my blog for a while, you may know of the prayers I’ve asked for him, this man with 34 stents in his heart. He even had several open heart surgeries before stents were placed. If there’s one thing I learned it is do not worry. I could have saved myself thirty years of anxiety if I had obeyed that philosophy.
In January 14, my son texted me that he’s just learned his paternal grandfather had died of a heart attack in Ohio. Quite suddenly, he had woken up with chest pain, driven himself and his wife to the hospital, and suffered the attack which took his life.
My son had to go to one grandfather’s funeral, while missing the other grandfather’s birthday.
Our days are not in our hands.
I sprained my foot, quite badly, and so I have been reading on the loveseat under the window in the dining room and gaining weight. It’s really a lovely time over here. But, I have finished three books for the Japanese Literature Challenge 19, two other books which were not, and am now starting The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino which Lesley must have sent me ten years ago. She wasn’t a fan, but she knew of my passion for Japanese literature and sent it over. I am a great fan of Higashino, so I am going to devour it today.
We will also watch the Bears in the playoffs against the Rams. Those poor Rams, coming to play in Chicago temperatures when they are used to Los Angeles. Imagine that the Bears have made it this far! It’s been a long time since I watched them win the Super Bowl when I lived in Germany. In 1986.
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My son and daughter-in-law are so excited that both of their teams (she's for the Bears; he's for the Texans) are in the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteLife is stranger than fiction sometimes. Congratulations to your dad!
The Bears came close this year, closer than they have in decades. They surely gave us an exciting season, although I confess to not watching closely until the Wild Card came with the Packers…ðŸ¤
DeleteHappy birthday to your dad! And I am sorry to hear about the loss of your son's other grandfather.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your well wishes…and condolences!
DeleteHope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteOh, Meredith. I'm stunned to learn that your dad has had 34 stents! My husband has 2, and I try desperately not to worry about future heart attacks... I'm glad your father has survived so much and has celebrated 94 years! My mom turns 93 in May. I'm very sorry for your son's loss. And I'm sorry you have injured your foot. Your poor feet have given you trouble over the years, haven't they? Well, at least you can relax and read to your heart's content.
ReplyDeleteAnd, oh my goodness, you mentioned a book that I sent you many years ago. I looked it up on my blog and I see that I read it in Feb 2011. Here's your comment: ""Higashino is Japan’s biggest bestselling novelist." Who knew?! Not I! :) It's interesting to me that you found the writing, characters and plot less than thrilling; it took me awhile to get into this (Japanese) genre, but once there? Hooked for life. I'll have to try this one, thanks for bringing his name to my attention." Well, I hope you find it enjoyable! :)
Haven’t we shared much over these years? From hearts to feet to books…I encourage you to not be afraid for your husband. Stents have been so effective, and worrying is so ineffective. I wish I could spare you that. I am finishing Devotion of Suspect X now, it lays in my lap, as I wear a boot for my BROKEN FOOT! Who knew? But, as you say, the bright side is an opportunity to read…especially a book I received from you a mere fifteen years ago.😳 Thank you, dear Lesley, and it was fun that you looked up the timeframe/comment.
DeleteBeautiful picture and my condolences to your son for his loss. This was beautiful to read. I have read the Suspect X’s author other 2 books and I enjoyed them. Get better from your ankle. I love your and your mom’s style, and your totally gray hair in both is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for such kind words.
DeleteFrom what I've learned about him from you over the years, I'm not surprised that your father is "hale and hearty"! May God grant him many years! as we say in the Orthodox Church. And, of course, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine, Gretchen?! He often seems stronger than I am! God gives us a good life, and I am thankful for all the years of blessings. Xo
DeleteLife is swings and roundabouts as they say!
ReplyDeleteI hope your ankle heals quickly
Wishing you a lovely reading week.
I haven’t heard of “swings and roundabouts”, but I would say that’s a pretty fair description of what January has been for me!
DeleteI am so sorry for your loss. What a time, and for your son to have to be at a funeral and miss his other grandfather's brthday. Hope your sprain is getting better.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I found the sprain is a break, but I will accept good wishes with gratitude! And thank you for your condolences.
DeleteHappy 94th Birthday to your father - how exciting and what a lovely photo! I'm sorry for your son's loss - my condolences to him. And you are so right - life is definitely stranger than fiction. Also, do not worry - I know we shouldn't, and yet, it's all I do. Hope your foot is healing quickly. I love that you are reading up a storm - sounds lovely. I'm still in the midst of two books - The Village Beyond the Mist and The Surf House. I just can't seem to focus enough to finish one up. Oh well, at least I am enjoying them both :) Wishing you a great week! xx
ReplyDeleteI understand the inability to focus quite well! My concentration comes and goes in spurts, and I find myself journaling more than ever before as I have so many thoughts/feelings to pour out of my head. We will give ourselves grace, and not worry, and grab moments to read when we can. I hope Village in the Mist picks up for you, the premise sounded so good. Glad Restless Books send it your way.
DeleteMeredith, so sorry about the loss of your son's grandfather, but I'm also loving the picture of you, your Dad and your Mom. One just never knows how life will proceed. Also sorry about your foot and hope it heals well. Take care and I hope you have a good reading week!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kay, for all your good wishes over all the years.
DeleteLook how cute your mom is!!! And your dad looks GREAT for 94. Happy birthday to him! I'm so sorry about your foot and the other grandpa. That's a lot of ups and downs in a short period of time!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the little peek into your life Meredith and happy birthday to your dad. 94 is a remarkable achievement.
ReplyDeleteCondolences to your son for his loss.
It sounds like you found the silver lining about having a sore foot - more reading time - more Japanese Lit reading time to boot!
What a great photo, and belated birthday wishes to your dada. You're right, the loss of one grandfather on the same day as another celebrated his birthday might seem contrived in a novel, but life sometimes does work that way. Sorry to learn from the comments that the sprain turned out to be a break. More reading time for you, at least!
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