Grandpa Herb

My Grandmother recently had knee replacement surgery here in Sioux Falls. She was doing great and recovering normally. But, then had a little bummer, as she called it. My aunt rephrased it as a big bummer. After lunch one day she got very sick, ended up in the ER and soon the ICU ultimately with ulcers. However, it took a good day and a half, sleepless night, and scary moments to get to that prognosis.

In the meantime my Grandpa, her husband, was five hours away in Eureka, South Dakota. He can't see well at all and shouldn't drive though he somehow deems it acceptable in Eureka. Yesterday he told me he drives better than other Eurekans who drive like a bat out of you know where, ha. Anyways he got a ride to Sioux Falls and joined us in the cold, stark ICU waiting room as we waited for some answers, some comfort.

That's Grandpa Herb, he was a nervous wreck, hadn't slept and was so concerned about this dear woman that he loved. He sat across from me in the hard chair and began to tell me stories of their 60 (!!!) years of marriage. He told me of how they met when he got back from he war when he was 22 and his brother told him that's who he would marry. And, back then he says you listened to your brother. They married at 25 and were both teachers and began a family together. He had a sparkle in his eye as he shared these stories and my heart was so bittersweet as I was so priveleged to hear these stories but yet see the worry in his face for his beloved wife. He repeatedly said I just hope we can figure this problem out.

His lovely wife has recovered and glimpses of my old grandma are seen more and more! With that comes old grandpa too but we are so grateful to have these two close to us- even more so as they (or i should say their children) have decided to live here for the next 6 months.

I'm reminded yet again of the blessing of moving back to Sioux Falls and hope to hear more stories of the last 85 years of their lives and continue to see the love of 60 years of marriage. These are the people we should learn from in life. They are quite incredible!