Greetings, my friends among the living! I just created this community, so I thought it was my duty to kick off. As a historian and genealogist, I think about the past a lot--about those who have gone before and how they shaped the world around them for generations to come. The dead are incredibly important to our lives, and this community's purpose is to acknowledge that special debt of gratitude we own the people who have helped make us who we are.
I want to start off by dedicating this community to my grandfather, Robert L Leinart Jr (1926-2003) who died just a couple weeks ago. He had been ill for many years, and it was hard to watch the difficulty he had to go through just to live his life. He had many faults, and messed up his life in a number of ways, but he was a wonderful grandfather, and he really managed to turn things around in the end.
We knew his time was coming, so, in his last days, the entire family assembled here in Montana--four children, ten grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and various in-laws. It was so wonderful for everyone to be able to be together at that time. Grandpa got to see all of us again, though by that time, he could no longer speak.
He got to see his first great-grandson for the very first time (Parker is two), and his eyes opened really wide (he had the bluest eyes), and a big grin spread across his face, and he nearly sat up in his bed at the hospice, reacing out to the little boy. Parker, of course, didn't understand much of what was happening, except that "Mama's Papa" was sick, but he gave grandpa a kiss on the cheek.
It was a death anyone would have wished for. A comfortable room, surrounded by loved ones. It was all very peaceful, and he just kind of slipped away at the end, after sleeping more and more every day.
The memorial service was lovely, and it was a full house. My cousin Angela spoke on behalf of all us grandkids, then my Dad and Uncle Bill each said a peace. I sad in front with my little cousin Linzey on my lap, hiding behind her occasionally so no one would see the tears (we don't show much emotion in my family, I'm afraid, but deep down, I am a big softie).
Memories: Coming to Montana for Christmas as a child. There was always snow, and grandpa might blow smokerings for you. He was from Tennessee originally, so he always said "pah" instead of "pie". Those are the ones I will share here. There are other, less happy ones, having to do with mistakes he made. It's important to remember the good stuff, and put the bad stuff aside after learning the lessons it can teach us.
I am staying with my grandmother this summer, so she won't be alone. She is coping really well, but she has had a long time to get used to the idea. Still, it must be very hard for her--sort of beyond my comprehension at this point.
R.I.P. Robert L. "Bob" Leinart
8 Nov 1926 - 30 Jun 2003
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awake.
busy.
grateful.
sad.
thoughtful.
