Sad, sad week

Last week, we received sad news about Buddy.  When they removed his gallbladder (remember those funny pictures of Gma Stella?), the doctors also did a bone marrow biopsy since his white blood count and platelets have been so out-of-wack.  Last Wednesday, Grandma Stella received a phone call from the hematologist that Buddy has a disease called MDS (also called pre-leukemia).  Basically, his body is producing red/white blood cells and platelets, but they aren't "growing".  In Buddy's case, the disease was terminal.  He basically had no immune system.  The outcome wouldn't have been any different if they found in when he was admitted to the hospital (so there is some comfort knowing that, as weird as that sounds).  On Thursday, the girls and Grandma Stella met with Palliative Care (kind of like hospice), and they were told he had a few days to a week to live.  It was such sad news to hear, but Buddy had been suffering for so long in the hospital, and we finally had answers (that made so many things make so much sense), that we were thankful for those answers and he would soon no longer be in pain.  It was a stressful weekend - visiting, cringing whenever the phone rang, and trying to be "normal".  Grandma Stella had a really sad day on Saturday, and that just broke my heart.  We visited with her on Sunday, and that was also our last visit with Buddy.  At one point, she started to sing to him "The King is Coming!" - it was so sweet and so sad at the same time.  God bless her.

As we were getting ready for work on Monday morning, Daniel received a phone call from his mom with the news that Buddy had passed away.  We were both so sad, yet thankful at the same time.  Buddy was no longer suffering!  But our Buddy, our sweet grandfather, was no longer with us.  No more fun times at the Bay, no more holidays with him at our side, and he won't meet any more great-grands.  Daniel & I met Ashley & Matthew at McDonald's for breakfast.  Nothing like drowning your sorrows in greasy fried food :)  It was good though, we laughed and talked and ate.  I went to work for a bit, and Daniel worked in the yard.  The girls and grandma made arrangements in the afternoon, and then we all gathered at Grandma Stella's for dinner.  It was just like a holiday gathering - food, laughing, and catching up!  It wasn't a sad time, though we missed Bud.  The arrangements were all done quickly - the Visitation was on Tuesday and the Funeral was on Wednesday.

We shared a meal on Tuesday prior to the vistitation (thanks to Aunt Anna's amazing Sunday School - we had NO obligations other than to show up!).  The visitation went well - there were so many friends and family, the mood in the room really wasn't sad, I'm so glad.  The funeral service on Wednesday was perfect.  It was really very sad, lots of tears shed, but the good times were remembered, and Buddy's legacy shined through.  Daniel's cousin, Katie, presented the Eulogy (or in Buddy's terms - the "urology"!).  To say that it was written beautifully, spoken eloquently, and a true representation of Buddy is a real understatement.  She had us laughing and crying.  I'm going to have to post it on here so I can go back and read it when I need a good laugh (or cry!).  Doug, another cousin, gave the "message" as the family preacher, and he did an excellent job, too.  He and his wife, Jessica, wrote a poem, which was amazing, I can't wait to share that either.  Buddy was in the Navy, so he had a flag-draped casket, and two servicewomen from the Navy folded & presented the flag to Grandma Stella at the Internment.  The weather was hot, but a breeze kept us cool. 

Honored to be the first car... following the most amazing man, escorting the most wonderful lady

There are so many people that have been touched by Buddy, and the outpouring of love and support definitely showed that!  I must say, I also have an amazing support system, and Robin even drove down from northern VA to support me (and Daniel).  A huge thanks to Robin for always being there for me - through the good and the bad - and for always being "my person".  My family - parents, sister, and brother in law - have also been amazing.  They've been at our side every step of the way, and Kelly & Derek have so graciously brought Abby to everything, so we all have a smile on our faces!  We have received several cards, a multitude of calls & texts, and more support (and food) than we could ever imagine!

Buddy left us with the most amazing legacy.  He has a very large, but very tight-knit family.  We will strive to live life to the fullest, just as he did.  We will strive to live out a love story, just as passionately as he and Grandma Stella.  And we will strive to have an amazing, tight-knit family just as the Staley's have created.