Goodbye Grandpa

Herschel David Evans

February1, 1919- June 16, 2010

My grandfather passed away early in the morning our first morning home in NY. At 91 years of age, he spent his last day doing what he did best, working hard at his camp in Cranberry Lake. He mowed lawns, and worked at removing logs from the woods to cut up into campfire wood and stack by the road with a "Free" sign next to it. Grateful campers (there's a state park at the end of this road) would eventually gather the wood and enjoy a good campfire. Grandpa died after a day of doing what he loved, being outside, being at the lake, working hard. My grandmother was with him though the night when a sudden chest pain began bothering him. His death came quickly, with only a couple hours of discomfort. My grandmother held his hand and was by his side though it all, till the end. My grandmother called my father as the dawn broke, and he joined her to say goodbye to his father. My mother came into our room shortly after Josie woke at 5:30 am to tell us of his passing.

Somehow, we were all there. This was the first day of our one week family vacation of the whole year. What a mercy it was to be present with family in a time of grieving, to already have traveled across the continent and be there. We were soon making arrangements for my brother David to come home from China-- he made it on a flight at 10 pm NY time that very night and was with us the next night. Jordan and Lisa and Sophie were there too, just to be together. For this gathering of family, many who I don't see more than every six months or even once a year, I was thankful. Thankful to be together. To share funny stories of Grandpa. To be in the Adirondacks at the place he loved most in the whole world. To be with family.

Goodbye Grandpa, we will miss you.