Saturday, November 29, 2008

The Blackest Friday

Originally I had planned to write a post about my crazy 4 AM "Black Friday" shopping experience complete with pictures of my friend Jenn and I all bundled up waiting in a line that wrapped around the building.

That experience didn't end up happening.

Friday morning I received a text from Jenn at 4 AM saying that she wasn't going to make it shopping because she was sick. I was actually VERY relieved because I didn't sleep well plus I was sick myself.

I spent the morning working on homework and then decided that I better drive myself to the InstaCare to make sure I don't have strep throat. While driving there I called my Dad to see if he would be home later so I could pick up my Christmas tree from his basement and would he be kind enough to carry it up to my car and are there still leftovers at the house? He let me ramble on with all my trivial questions and when he was quite sure I was done he cleared his throat and began.

"Summer I received a frantic message from your Grandmother this morning. I was at the temple so I called her back as soon as I got home, I actually just got off the phone with her when you called. There is no easy way to say this, but your Grandpa Hom died this morning."

I swear my heart stopped beating. Instantly I started to cry as my Dad told me all of the details that he had found out. This was my Dad's father and I by sheer chance was the first person he was telling. He hadn't even had a chance to process things for himself, hadn't even had a chance to tell my mother or even change out of his church clothes.

I rushed over to my parents house to see what I could do to help. My Dad hadn't eaten so I made him some food. He was coughing up a lung so I after my Mother and Sister got home to look after the phones, I took my Dad to the InstaCare where we found out he had Bronchitis and I have a strain of Strep. While sitting in the InstaCare waiting room my Dad started to write his fathers obituary. He turned to me and said "You know it's funny because I get to something I don't know and my first thought is I'll just call him up and ask. But I can't call him up anymore."

It breaks my heart to see my father like this. I am sad for my loss of a grandfather, but sadder for the loss of my father's father. My grandpa was 89 years old. He died peacefully.

Please forgive me if my posts are not updated as often as I normally try to do. I will be busy and distracted. I am trying to keep it together and stay strong for my family in the midst of semester projects and finals. This next week will be a challenging one.

Blogfully yours,
Summer

11 comments:

Kendall said...

I'm so very sorry. *hugs* Thoughts go with you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Love and Hugs 2 you and your fam! I'm here for you guys. I'm sorry babe!
Love you
Karina

Staci Wilson said...

Summer---

I'm sorry too. i know what u mean about Jim. I hate to see him so sad. He's such a big ol' gentle giant. Never complains-- I love him dearly. See u at the viewing and funeral Aunt See-See

kel said...

Sorry about your loss.

Anonymous said...

Thoughts with you.
x

Deidre said...

I am so sorry for your loss.

I hope your strep clears up ASAP.

Flashtrigger said...

The part where you said you're sad for the loss of your grandfather, but sadder for your father's loss of his father...I agree 100%. I found that when I've said something similar in the past, some thought me heartless, but I disagree. It makes perfect sense.
Dealing with the death of a loved one is so overwhelmingly difficult, especially around the holidays and the darker months of the year...try to console and bring light to one another as much as possible. It eases the pain somewhat.
Deepest sympathies.

Jenni said...

I was so sad to hear about your Grandpa. He was such a nice sweet guy. It is a hard time of the year to have to deal with your loss, but know that we are all thinking of you and your family. Let me know if you need me to help with anything, Love ya

C.S. Perry said...

Best of luck and keep it together as well as you can.
I know it's hard.

Anonymous said...

Summer -

I am so sorry for your loss. It doesn't matter that he was 89 and died peacefully. He died. Your parents are grieving, and you are grieving. And it all sucks.

So, I'm sending you lots of love and light and the energy to get through everything.

Remember amidst it all to take care of yourself.

Sarah Bellum said...

Love you honey. I'll be on call for Summer Watch 2008.