Yesterday, September 25, 2013, the kids great-grandpa Gene passed away peacefully. "Bub" is Keri's grandfather. We are sad it was his time to go, but so, so grateful that we were able to spend his final Easter with him, back in March. I told the kids on Wednesday morning that I had just learned that he was very sick and likely not going to live long. Both the kids were shocked and Ellie was especially sad. It was early out day at school. By the time the kids were out of school and in my classroom, I had to tell them he was already on his way to heaven. The three of us had a group hug in my classroom, and then the kids walked home alone because I had to stay for meetings.
We have only spent time with Bonnie and Gene on four different occasions. But we have always felt a special connection with them and Logan and Ellie have always had a special place in their hearts for these grandparents. When Logan and Ellie were a day and a half old, Darin and I ran into Bonnie and Gene in the hospital waiting room outside the nursery. They said hello and knew right away we must be Darin and Miriam. They had just come from the nursery and were emotional talking about how beautiful those two babies were! Gene referred to Logan and Ellie as his grandchildren and it was so obvious how much love they had for Keri's sweet babies. Keri had chosen the name Jacob for her baby boy. (We kept Jacob as Logan's middle name.) Grandpa Gene called baby Logan "Jake the snake". Logan always remembers and talks about that little story.
We have only spent time with Bonnie and Gene on four different occasions. But we have always felt a special connection with them and Logan and Ellie have always had a special place in their hearts for these grandparents. When Logan and Ellie were a day and a half old, Darin and I ran into Bonnie and Gene in the hospital waiting room outside the nursery. They said hello and knew right away we must be Darin and Miriam. They had just come from the nursery and were emotional talking about how beautiful those two babies were! Gene referred to Logan and Ellie as his grandchildren and it was so obvious how much love they had for Keri's sweet babies. Keri had chosen the name Jacob for her baby boy. (We kept Jacob as Logan's middle name.) Grandpa Gene called baby Logan "Jake the snake". Logan always remembers and talks about that little story.
Although we didn't get to know Gene very well, it was obvious he was such a good man. He was always so kind to his family members and has helped take care of his children when they have needed him, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. Bonnie and Gene recently moved into a retirement residential place. They were the light and life of the party in that place and so kind to the other residents who were lonely or loosing some of their memory skills.
Bonnie has always been so good to keep in touch with us sending holiday and birthday cards and letters. These will be treasured keepsakes for Logan and Ellie. They were pretty ecstatic this past Easter when Bonnie and Gene were passing out Easter cards with $20 bills in for every grandchild!
We are just so happy that we took that spring break trip to California this past spring. These photos will be priceless for the kids to always have. Someday i hope to track down any pics of them at the hospital with the babies when they were born, and also of the time we were together when the kids just turned four years old. We took pics of the kids with Gene then....but I don't know who's camera they were on.
Until we meet again.....we love you grandpa Gene!!
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