Last night Aleks and I went on a date and saw Sherlock Holmes.
Shortly after returning home, we got word that Grandpa Kyhn had passed.
When I woke up this morning I realized my dreams had been filled with mixed images of Grandpa and Robert Downey Jr.
Which is kind of appropriate.
I mean, Downey is Iron Man.
And Grandpa used to be a firefighter, a real life hero of sorts.
And they also share handsomeness.
(Alex, Grandpa, & Dad)
Grandpa could walk into a store and quickly charm anyone within hearing distance.
It's a quality that my dad inherited, embarrassing me endlessly when I was a teenager and one I appreciate now.
Almost ten years ago, Grandma and Grandpa moved into a senior living community in Oakland.
I'm sure it was a hard decision to make, not to mention the difficulties of down sizing and moving out of the home they had lived in for almost 50 years.
It turned out to be a great decision.
Grandpa knew the name of every server, security guard, receptionist, maintenance worker, and resident of his community.
In fact, many of those people came to visit him while he was in hospice.
Grandpa was on the way to being diagnosed with ALS when he was admitted to the hospital after having breathing difficulties. His living will explicitly outlined an advanced health care directive in which he was not to receive life support systems. The doctor gave him 5 days to live. Grandpa surpassed that estimate by 6 days.
My brother Matt said that the two words he would use to describe Grandpa are kind and generous.
I'd have to agree.
I never remember a time when Grandpa was cross or raised his voice in anger.
Grandma and Grandpa paid for my cell phone throughout my undergrad.
Back in the days when you'd have to wait until evening or the weekend to use free, unlimited minutes.
I think I'd have to add "charmer" to the list as well.
Grandpa always had a twinkle in his eye. When he'd walk his dog, Spike, down Piedmont Ave., he was a force to be reckoned with. Ladies would cross the street to talk to him.
My dad said that Grandpa was still delighting visitors from his hospice bed.
Grandma was with her husband of 59 years in his last moments.
I'm honored to be a part of the legacy he's left behind.
Well said! Thank you Emily (Uncle Steve)
ReplyDeleteYou don't know me but your father and uncle do.
ReplyDeleteYour grandfather was a fun man to know. I met him, and the rest of the family, some 42 years ago... really? Wow! Where did the time go? Anyway, we would go camping about the same two weeks every summer and our families became good friends. Your dad and uncle and I would go on hikes and play in the creeks by day and play games with your Gramma and Grammpa and hang out by the campfire till late at night. Our families would have dinners together and go on jeep rides. Those are fond memories for me. Barb and Pete came to our home once and a firetruck came by the house making all that noise and lights a flashing. Well, he could hardly contain himself he got so excited that I thought he was going to jump in his car and follow them!! I saw then the passion he had for his career and how much he missed it.
I'm also thinking how nice it will be to remember him every year on New Years Day as I reflect about my life and the changes that have taken place as a new year begins.
He's a man that will live in my heart for years to come.
With sympathy and fondness,
Karen Lee (Pauling)
P.S. Thanks for the great photos you posted.
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