Here is what Ryan has written and will read. (I changed or corrected nothing)

What I Regret

It was a regular Saturday night evening. The only think that was different was that my Grandfather was finally home from the hospital. He had cancer. He was so happy to be home. We had a great Friday night together. When Saturday rolled around he went straight to his bedroom to sleep.

Knowing he had cancer my Mom, Dad and I would check on him to see if he was ok. Every two hours or so he would roll over or move around. It was 8:59 pm when I went to ask my Dad a question. When I walked into the room my Dad was standing there checking Grandpa’s pulse. I asked him like 5 times, “Is he dead?” As I looked at him it was clear that he was gone. I walked into my Mom’s room and said “Grandpa is gone.” She rushed into his room to comfort my Dad. I sat in her computer desk chair and started crying.
We spent so much time together, more when I was little. As I got older I started being meant to him. I don’t even know why. As I was crying all I could say was “I’m sorry Grandpa.” You guys must be thinking why am I sorry…..I never told him that I love him. If I could just have him back for 5 seconds I would tell I love him. This has eaten me up for days. I was calling myself a monster and punching things.
The next morning my family and I went to church. When the Pastor wanted us to pray all I could say was “I love you Grandpa”. I would start crying just thinking about him. As I write this 4 days later I am still torn about my Grandfather’s Death.

So please say I LOVE YOU to everybody that you are close to. Tell them you love them every day, more than once, cause you never know when that person will be taken from you. Don’t keep it in or someday you may be an emotional wreak when that person is gone.
I am starting to feel better. I know he is in a happier place, Heaven….Fully Healed, with two legs, dancing with my Grandma.
Forever I will regret never telling him I Loved Him.

Hope’s Story Follows in the Next Post.

I Love You
Thanks for Loving Me

The kids asked if I would let them post here about losing their Grandpa. His Funeral is today (Friday) at 2 pm. They have both asked to speak at the service as well. Hope is going to read Psalm 23. Ryan has written and will read, What I Regret. I am not promising a “No Tears” post.

Here is what I saw the night Mel past away, Followed by what she wrote.

When Craig told me that Mel was gone, I was holding it together fine. No tears, just worry. When I told Hope she had a meltdown. She started crying hysterically and then went running out of the house. We got her back in the house. A few minutes later I walked by Mel’s room. (He passed away in his bed, his dog sleeping next to him.) There was Hope. She was laying on the bed with her head on his stomache holding his hand, crying while reading P-salm (that is how she says it) 23. For me that was the most heartbreakingly beautiful sight I have ever seen. That is when my tears started to flow. She stayed with him until the Funeral Home came and got him.

The following is what she wanted me to post. (I changed or corrected nothing)

The thing i will miss the most about my grandpa is the memories that i got to share with him.
I remember back when i was a little kid when i was so excited to stay with my grandparents. As soon as i got to there house i would run towards my grandpa and jump on his lap and as i hugged and kissed him he would do something that would always make you laugh. Usually he would pull out his dentures and talk, it was so cool i thought… And we would laugh and thats what i will remember of him!!! The laughs and the good times not the hospital trips, the deadly car rides ,and the helplessness… The only thing i will choose to remember are all the good, fun memories, and none of the bad….
I will also remember that i loved my grandfather and he loved me and it is always gonna be that way weither he is here in the hospital or now in heaven thats just the way it is, and will be for an enternity……..

Melvin Eugene Trotter
12.25.1932 – 05.23.2009

My Father In Law passed away Saturday night.
Here in our house…In his bed…Dog sleeping next to him.

He was Orphaned at a young age.
Raised by 3 Aunts who lived on the same street. (He ate 3 dinners a night)
Married Norma Jean Ledbetter on November 7, 1954
Father of 3 Children – Teri, Randy and The Most Important to me…Craig
Grandfather to 11
Great Grandfather to 4 (so Far)
Korean War Veteran
Minister to Many
Life Master Bridge Player

Thank you so much for your prayers for me and my family. We are doing well. The Services will be held on Friday. He will be buried at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery, joining Mom there.

There is a picture of Mom and Dad. They were probably in their late 40’s. They were sitting under a waterfall in Jamaica. They were laughing and you could just see how much fun they were having. When we discovered that Dad had passed away this was the first image I had, them finally reunited. Was she at the pearly gates waiting for him like a school child telling their best friend to hurry up and come play? I know she was.

Tomorrow Ryan and Hope’s thoughts are going to take over my Blog. They want me to help them post their thoughts on their Grandpa. I hope that you will come back and hear their stories.