Papaw

     On the way to Indiana the night of Luke's accident, I called Granny and Papaw tell them what happened. Granny answered the phone and sounded tired and drained. Before I told her about Luke, she told me she had just walked in the door from admitting Papaw to the hospital. Papaw had several medical issues, and hospital visits were becoming more and more frequently. She said he was in the ICU, but would probably be home by Monday. She couldn't come because of Papaw, but would be praying. My heart sunk when I heard this, but my attention was quickly brought back to Luke and the drive across Indiana.

     Tom kept in contact with family back in Connersville, keeping them updated on Luke and updating us on Papaw. I really thought he would pull through, just like all the rest of the times. 

      On Monday, when we realized Luke was not going to make it through the day, the call went to Connersville to come now. Granny and Uncle Todd made the long sad trip to the hospital to see Luke. Lukie took his last breath about three hours before they arrived, but they were able to see him and hug and kiss him in the hospital. I explained we would be cremating Luke, so they needed to say goodbye now. The emotions in the room during this time were raw and almost unbearable. My heart broke all over again watching Todd and Granny love on this little boy they loved so much.

     The update on Papaw was better, he was eating and talking and making the enjoying the visits of family and friends. Todd and Granny spent a few hours at the hospital, visiting Luke and loving on Jonathan and Katie.
     
     After we left the hospital, we went to the funeral home and decided on a Friday memorial service. We had to wait until the medical examiner was finished doing his work, and since it was so close to the weekend, I decided a Friday service would be best. Tom went back to Connersville to be with his dad and I brought Jonathan and Katie home. Without Luke.

     Tom kept me updated about Papaw. He was having his ups and downs, and later the week, he started steadily going downhill. It was just a matter of time before he joined Luke. Thursday night, I was driving, my mom was with the kids and I needed some time to think. I called Tom to check on Bob. They were counting the hours before it was over. I immediately saw Papaw, a young, healthy man running toward Luke. Luke had his arms out toward Papaw and was smiling. Papaw swept Luke up in his arms, hugging and kissing him and asking what he was doing there. They were both in Heaven in the Glory of God. Papaw died about three in the morning on Friday, the day of Luke's memorial. While I knew everyone would miss Papaw terribly, it was a comfort to know he was in Heaven with my baby boy, and Luke now had both grandpa's to watch over him and take him fishing
Papaw was a great man. He never met a stranger and had a heart of gold. His love for Jesus was evident in his life. He not only talked the talk, he walked the walk. If it needed to be done, Papaw would take care of it. If you needed something and he had it, it was yours. His love for his family was tremendous. He was the kind of Papaw kid's dream of having. The world lost a great man the day Papaw met Luke in heaven.