March 28, 2024

My grampa, my hero

Posted

With all the negativity going on in the world today I wanted to share something positive and heartwarming. My grandfather Robert E Denham jr. left this world November 14th at 11:20 am. He was without a doubt, one of the most exceptional, extraordinary men i have ever known... the legacy he leaves behind, is beyond anything I could ever put into words. He has always been there for anyone that needed him. Whether it had been a place to stay, money to borrow, or just someone to talk to. This world (without a doubt) was a better place with him in it.. I could never imagine (in a million years) a world, in which he doesn't exist, but now I find myself in that world.. My aunt summed it up best when she said " Your kindness and generosity was overwhelming. You loved unconditionally. Not sure what we will do without you. We were all so lucky to have you for so long, but it still seems not long enough. We always thought that when you left this earth, all you take with you is the love you had in your heart. Well Dad, not exactly true. Your love lives in our hearts forever. You had such an abundance of love you never would of been able to carry that on your journey so thanks for leaving so much behind.. We knew you would leave us something. This is your greatest gift ever. We will never let it go."

This is my letter to 'grampa',
It's now been over a week since you passed away and it hasn't gotten any easier. this has affected not only our family, but anyone that has ever crossed paths with you.. to be 94 years old and have that many people come to your services is unbelievable! I loved hearing all the stories and how much you loved your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. At the time of my wedding, I thought the worst thing that could ever happen was you not being able to be there with me to share my special day... now I realize I was wrong. You no longer here is the worst thing that could EVER happen.. I will NEVER forget my wedding day as long as I live.. it was September 18, 2004 and you were in the hospital for a month. I Remember you begging the doctor to let you out just so you could come to my wedding. You told him you would come right back that night after my wedding! At the time I was secretly hoping he would say yes ... but he said "absolutely not!" .. (now when I look back, I can see how sick you really were.) I could never imagine in a million years you not being there.. so I rented 2 limos and after the ceremony, on the way to the reception, my limo made a detour... yup we drove right to the hospital!! There was no way I wasn't seeing my grandpa on my wedding day!!! We walked through the hospital in our wedding attire and went right to your room! The look on your face was priceless!!! I think you thought u were dreaming!!!! I am so lucky to have so many great memories of/with you, but that by far will always be my favorite! You were so proud that day! I remember pinning your flower on your hospital gown and you just smiling. I could overhear you telling the nurse (after I left) how upset you were that you had to miss my wedding day, but how happy ,surprised, proud and lucky you were that "your granddaughter" took time out of her wedding day to stop and see her "her grandpa." Grandpa I want to thank you. That decision I made that day was all b/c of you. You have shown all of us that family and love are the most important things in life. NOTHING ELSE MATTERS AS LONG as you have those two things. I have so much to thank you for there isn't enough room in this world to write everything.. This is by far the hardest thing I have ever gone thru. All I want in life now, is to be more like you..I promise I will try everyday to be loving, forgiving, compassionate, and help others who need it. I never realized how lucky I was, AM, to be your granddaughter. I love you always and I promise to carry on your legacy.

Love your "favorite" granddaughter
Donnalee
Oh and grandpa, you told the nurse on my wedding day that you were lucky to have me as a granddaughter but what you didn't know, was I was the lucky one to have YOU as my grandfather

Legacy, grandpa, love

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