Passing

My grandfather passed away this afternoon. I believe I have mentioned before that he had alzheimer's disease. Over the last year or so he has steadily gotten worse. My parents visited often, and each time they reported that his health had decreased.

During the last six weeks we began preparing for his death. His mental health had deteriorated to the point that he rarely knew who anyone was, or what he was doing. He began urinating on the couch and rugs. He slept most of the day, waking only to eat a little bit.

When I saw him last, a few weeks ago he was nothing like the grandfather I knew. He was frail and brittle. He was then sleeping in a hospital bed with a nurse coming in each day to take care of him.

A few days back he stopped eating or even drinking water. My folks left yesterday to visit him on what they expected to be his last few days. He died about 15 minutes after they arrived.

The funeral is Tuesday night. Please keep all of my family in your thoughts and prayers. Though this was expected, it will still not be easy.