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- Joined
- Mar 11, 2008
- Messages
- 310
Hi fellow brothers in iron. Im still a realtive newcomer here and Im trying to make myself known, but I wanted to go off topic. I know all of us have the exterior of being big and strong, but Im sure some of us out there are pretty sensitive, especially when it comes to family. Im no exception on this one.
When I was 6, my mother could no longer care for me and I went to live with my grandparents. I had never met my father, and to this day I still haven't, nor do I care to. My Grandfather was my father. My Gramps raised me pretty old school. He taught me to respect women, never hit them, pull chairs out, etc. He taught me how to carry myself as a man and always be humble. He taught me to forgive and forget as well.
On August 1, 1998, I lost my Gramps. This happened just 8 days after reaching my 20th birthday. I was on the floor of my house helping the medics trying to keep him alive. I was squeezing the breathing bag that was over his face to force air into his lungs. I looked down at him and told him that I loved him, and I watched him wink at me for the last time. On my way to the hospital, I rode shotgun in the ambulance and the driver had asked me if I was prepared for the worst. I was. I had been in and out of hospitals the last 3 weeks watching him get worse. The driver told me they had done all they could do for him and there was nothing more the hospital could do as well.
I watched him begin to flatline and I was escorted into the "family waiting room". I knew his time had come. About 20 minutes later, the doctor came in and confirmed my Grandfather had gone to meet his maker.
2 days later, I helped plan his funeral. At 20 years old, I gave his eulogy in front of family, friends, and people I had never met. My grandparents had 4 children, all married who were unable to do this. There was no way I was going to let him go without telling everyone what he meant to me. When I finished, I walked to the casket, and placed my Michigan High School Wrestling Finals medal in his breast pocket. I had finished 3rd at 215lbs my senior year in 1997 and he couldn't have been prouder of me. I thought it was only fitting that he take that medal with him. I pallbeared the casket as well. After the ceremony, I removed a single rose from his casket spray and took it with me. I walked to the open hole in the ground that would be his final resting place and gazed into it. Finally, my last goodbye was to kiss the rose, say my final "I love you" and release it into the grave for him.
This Saturday will mark the 11 year anniversary of the worst day of my life, and I always get withdrawn this time of year. I thank God that this man came into my life because without him, I wouldn't be where Im at today. Driven, successful, and respectful. The one good thing that comes out of this time of year, is my training sessions are fantastic.
I wanted to share this with the board to always make sure to never forget where you come from. Always give your mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa a call whenever you can. One day, you won't have them, and you can reflect on what those individual have instilled into you.
R.I.P. J.A.S. 1926-1998.
When I was 6, my mother could no longer care for me and I went to live with my grandparents. I had never met my father, and to this day I still haven't, nor do I care to. My Grandfather was my father. My Gramps raised me pretty old school. He taught me to respect women, never hit them, pull chairs out, etc. He taught me how to carry myself as a man and always be humble. He taught me to forgive and forget as well.
On August 1, 1998, I lost my Gramps. This happened just 8 days after reaching my 20th birthday. I was on the floor of my house helping the medics trying to keep him alive. I was squeezing the breathing bag that was over his face to force air into his lungs. I looked down at him and told him that I loved him, and I watched him wink at me for the last time. On my way to the hospital, I rode shotgun in the ambulance and the driver had asked me if I was prepared for the worst. I was. I had been in and out of hospitals the last 3 weeks watching him get worse. The driver told me they had done all they could do for him and there was nothing more the hospital could do as well.
I watched him begin to flatline and I was escorted into the "family waiting room". I knew his time had come. About 20 minutes later, the doctor came in and confirmed my Grandfather had gone to meet his maker.
2 days later, I helped plan his funeral. At 20 years old, I gave his eulogy in front of family, friends, and people I had never met. My grandparents had 4 children, all married who were unable to do this. There was no way I was going to let him go without telling everyone what he meant to me. When I finished, I walked to the casket, and placed my Michigan High School Wrestling Finals medal in his breast pocket. I had finished 3rd at 215lbs my senior year in 1997 and he couldn't have been prouder of me. I thought it was only fitting that he take that medal with him. I pallbeared the casket as well. After the ceremony, I removed a single rose from his casket spray and took it with me. I walked to the open hole in the ground that would be his final resting place and gazed into it. Finally, my last goodbye was to kiss the rose, say my final "I love you" and release it into the grave for him.
This Saturday will mark the 11 year anniversary of the worst day of my life, and I always get withdrawn this time of year. I thank God that this man came into my life because without him, I wouldn't be where Im at today. Driven, successful, and respectful. The one good thing that comes out of this time of year, is my training sessions are fantastic.
I wanted to share this with the board to always make sure to never forget where you come from. Always give your mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa a call whenever you can. One day, you won't have them, and you can reflect on what those individual have instilled into you.
R.I.P. J.A.S. 1926-1998.
Ahhhh
