This last fall our mother lost both of her parents. My Grandpa, who was the healthiest person I've known, passed from cancer (chemotherapy was the ultimate culprit). We all expected him to outlive my Grandma for years. I mean he ran his last marathon several times in his seventies. And I mean Ran! He was a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather; an athlete, a socialist, a veteran, and a former atheist. He was a man full of questions, and always seeking answers. Ultimately he decided it was foolish enough to keep telling God, "I won't believe in you!" and settled for obtaining his answers when he met God face to face. :-)
His loving wife stayed by his side in bed till the very end. She was a lifelong Catholic, and loved God and the Church with all her heart. My Grandma had been suffering from Diabetes for decades, and had undergone several open heart surgeries. So it wasn't but a few weeks, after moving up to Oregon to be with her great grandchildren, that she passed in her sleep as well.
We had a memorial service in California for my Grandpa, then his ashes went up to Oregon, ultimately to be laid to rest with my Grandma. They shared a beautiful life together all the way to their shared resting place. He was honored by the military at their grave after the beautiful catholic ceremony. My Mom received the flag and the family was at peace that day;reminiscing over the legacy the two had left behind.
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