By Beauty Damned

R.I.P. Grandpa Raymond

Sadly, I never knew my grandpa Raymond very well. He was the victim of a terrible car accident when my mother was very little and he was left with permanent brain damage. In a time when it was difficult for a woman to get on with a few kids and no husband, my grandmother Beverly, a school principal, remarried a wonderful man named Buddy.

We visited Raymond a lot more when I was a kid, but as the years passed it became less and less. His sister Elsie took care of him his whole life since the accident, but towards the end I think she was tired of it and that's when she got a little anxious to let him pass. He was never a vegetable. Always recognized us, but had a lot of trouble communicating normally. I have become increasingly bothered and guilty over the past few years that we haven't seen more of Grandpa Raymond. My mother has spent more time in Arizona over the last year as his health has declined. I always felt terrible for Raymond. Like his life was snatched out from under him. The life that he already thought he had in his grasp. A beautiful wife and a gorgeous towheaded brood and a whole future of love and family waiting to be had beneath the brilliant Arizona sky. Instead it was all gone in a heartbeat. I love my Grandpa Raymond, and I will always hold on to the few memories I have of him. He always looked so happy to see his grandchildren. He wanted to squeeze us so tight, sometimes he would forget his own strength. He was a big, tall, redfaced man with a smile that was always genuine. I will forever regret not having spent more time with him before he passed away. He had a gracious soul. May He Rest in Peace.

Young Raymond

Raymond with my mother, Tara

Raymond, Beverly and their children, Tara, Dana and Lane.

Raymond with the kids

Posted by Maria at July 12, 2005 12:14 AM | TrackBack