HyperbAllea

My grandfather passed away yesterday around 5:45 PM. He went in his sleep and was not suffering.

Just letting you know.

My paternal grandfather smoked for most of his life and has had emphysema for a long time. He’s been on oxygen 24/7 for the past few years and has been continually deteriorating, so the past few days weren’t exactly a surprise. On Tuesday, my grandfather had a lung collapse and was rushed to the hospital. At this point he’s resting comfortably with a small dose of morphine in his system, but the doctors are sure he’s in his last days or hours. I’m doing remarkably well, probably because he’s been sick for a long time and I’m not terribly surprised. I’m sad because I know he’s not going to be around anymore and I will miss him, but I also know that he won’t have to suffer anymore, and that gives me some peace.

Please keep my family in your prayers.

Thomas and I are leaving for Charlotte in just a few hours. The plans are to hang out with my grandparents tonight (and maybe get a little swimming in). Then tomorrow morning I’m picking up my sister, Amber, which I’m super excited about since I haven’t seen her since Christmas. Tomorrow afternoon it’s a birthday party/kind of family reunion with my dad. Then Sunday we’ll go to church with my grandparents, and a stop by Thomas’ mom’s house on the way home for a birthday visit with his sister. A very full weekend (and not exactly what I had originally envisioned for a weekend off), but I’m looking forward to visiting with everyone down there.

Back Monday.

That’s all.

Saturday was “Free” Raleigh Day. We basically did as many free things as we could fit into 12 hours. It really was great.

We started at the State Farmer’s Market at 9AM. It was my first time there, even though I’ve live in the area for 11 years or so. So much stuff, and so many samples. I ended up spending money (I didn’t have to, I wanted to), but it was worth it.

Next, we went to Oak View for their “Fair Day in the Mill Village” festival. There was music, history, a hayride, FREE barbeque, and a baking contest (we got to sample ALL the entries). We were all stuffed when we left, and we didn’t spend a penny.

Then we went to the history museum in downtown Raleigh. There was an interesting exhibit on disease and medicine in North Carolina, which spanned everything from traditional medicine to faith healing to natural remedies. I was definitely fascinated, but it also made me feel like I really needed to go scrub my hands.

Then I got a call from my mom, who had accidently locked herself in the attic. Ask me personally if you’d like to know the whole story.

Then to the art museum, with the ultimate goal of visiting the cloud chamber. Unfortunately, the cloud chamber apparently gets locked when the art museum closes, even though it’s in the woods and not in the museum. So instead we wandered around a bit and looked at some of the things that weren’t locked up.

Our final event was watching Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit on the art museum lawn. Such a funny movie…you should see it if you haven’t already.

All in all, a pretty perfect day. If only a few more people had come. Next time, guys. Next time.

If any of you happen to see or talk to my mom today, please tell her happy birthday.

Two of my best friends are participating in events to raise money for great causes.

Kim is actually training for a marathon to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Her goal is to raise $3,000 to help find a cure for those diseases. Click here to donate to Kim.

Sara is participating in the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s Race for the Cure which raises money for breast cancer research. Click here to donate to Sara.

I’m hoping to be able to donate to both of them.