John Albert Miller (Grandpa Jack)

Since yesterday Grandad has gone downhill. They moved him from the house to the hospital when he wasn't able to walk anymore. Dad, Fletch and I are driving up to see him tomorrow after I finish an intake at the clinic. We can't stay long because dad's backed up with work and Marcene and family are flying in tomorrow.

I lost my grandmother about two years ago and I don't remember feeling upset over it. I never knew her well and I didn't feel a strong connection with her. I remember visiting her in the rehabilitation center after a surgery she had and she was uncharacteristically lively. She sat in bed telling all kinds of stories and criticizing stuff. Because of the pain she lived with daily she had always been very quiet and kept to herself. She never attended our family functions because she was so unwell. That day in the rehabilitation center, I'm not sure what was different, I'm thinking she was on pain medication, but she was a completely different person and I felt like I really got to see her personality.

Well, Grandpa Miller has always had a personality and in many ways he reminds me a lot of my dad. To think of him unable to walk, and unable to eat is really difficult and for me truly heartbreaking. On top of that I know it must be driving him nuts to not be able to get up and get some work done.

We joke that he has nine lives, having survived several serious health issues and accidents. It feels like yesterday when I heard about a fall he had taken off a ladder (or roof?). He was in the hospital all banged up with some serious blood clots. I heard about it right before having to take an oral french final down at the Y. Needless to say I was distracted while trying to answer questions about my future career and my current relationship status in french. He survived that fall even though they had to tie him to the bed to prevent him from taking a trip to the vending machine to get his beloved diet pepsi.

On my last visit to see him a few weeks ago he was trying to give me career advice. I tried to tell him I already had a career all lined up, but he insisted I would make an excellent "Purchasing agent."

I love him tons and I'm crossing my fingers I survive this trip to go see him one last time.