They say.

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There have been lots of posts recently, in the blogs I read, that talk about not giving too much personal information on your blog.  About not being negative.  About not sharing too much of who you really are. 

While I agree with the idea that no one wants to read a perpetually negative blog, sometimes things happen.  Real life things.  And they aren't always good. 

Yesterday, I said my heart was sad.  There are 2 reasons for that.  One of the reasons, is because my Grandpa is dying.  I haven't mentioned it in great depth here, because I don't want to discourage people, but, the time has come.   Yesterday, my Grandpa found out there is more cancer inside him.  And the stuff that's in his "stomach" is growing. 

It's sad.  I'm sad. And that is something that I should be able to share with my readers (all 5 of you :) )

I grew up with my grandparents living in Winnipeg.  They moved to Toronto when I was a teenager, but I had them here all of my childhood. 

One Halloween, we dressed up in costumes, and went up to the door to Trick-or-Treat; while my parents stood around the side of the house, to see if they would recognize us.  Grandpa answered the door, gave us candy, and said bye.  He was in the middle of closing the door, when my Grandma yelled, "Ralph! That's the children!!!!"  He re-opened the door and let us in.

We used to go over to their house almost every week, at least once, for dinner.  We had 2 tables, the kids table and the grown-ups table.  It was a HUGE deal to be able to sit at the grown up's table. 

Their Christmas tree had electronic ornaments.  A carousel that spun around was my favourite. 

They had mustard colored throw pillows on their couch, that had butterflies on them. 

My Grandma always had at least 3 shades of red nail polish on her dresser and high heeled shoes in the entrance from the garage.

I can still remember the smell in their house.

These are memories that I will have of them forever.  It makes me sad to think I will lose him.

When we went to Toronto to visit them in June, Grandpa made a little speech one night.  He dedicated the evening to Grandma, gave each of his children his favourite photo of her, and then he took out pieces of paper, and passed them around.  He had saved every card we'd ever given him.  The ones from when we were kids, and we cut up other cards to make new ones.  The ones when we couldn't spell properly.  All. Of. Them.  I will remember that forever. 

I love my Grandpa.  He is a strong, stubborn, beautiful man of God, and I will miss him when he is gone. 

So, forgive me, if I am too real for you.  Pardon me, if this is too much information.  But, this is me. And from now on, this blog will be a truly Open Book.