The one about the grandpa

I know only my dearest friends and family see this, so with this I ask you to keep my grandpa in your prayers. This week has been really tough on him, and he is having a major heart bypass surgery on Thursday. This, in my honest opinion, is the strongest man I know. Arnold, you have nothing on this guy. He has more determination and drive than many 30 somethings I know, and can overcome it all.

Through the last few days, I have realized the importance not just of life, but of family. We always talk about extended family and immediate family, but I see no difference. There really doesn't have to be a difference if you don't want there to be. And in my immediate family, we have my mom, my uncle, my two cousins, my grandma, my new husband, and the man of the family, my grandpa.

We are a tightly knit family. Our everyday life revolves around another. We have family meals together, spontaneous breakfasts, and lots of good talks. We have the occasional drop by, with gifts from the thrift store, and long phone calls. We have constant dog sitters, moral support, and most of all love.

I am very thankful that I have this right at my fingertips. A quick drive, or walk even, away. And to those of us that have this, I think that we sometimes take it for granted.

So this is our special present that we gave to Grandpa last year, on his 80th birthday.