It is with a heavy heart that I tell you this. My grandfather passed away from COVID-19 last night. He fought so hard until the agonizing end of his life. My grandfather served as a Navy officer. He worked as an electronics engineer and he was actually there at Bikini Atoll for the first atomic weapons test. I dearly miss his stories of his time in the service. My grandfather was the toughest, smartest man I knew. I had the privilege of growing up in rural Alaska with him and my grandmother, who passed over a decade ago. He taught me binary, hexadecimal, and base eight when I was in grade school. He made beautiful musical instruments in his woodshop and stunning leatherwork, he taught me how to woodwork too. I just wish I had more time with him, this virus ripped him away from us too soon. My heart is broken, and I don’t know how to carry on. I don’t have family locally, my grandfather and my mother (who still lives in Alaska) are my only family. I cannot be with them now. It shatters my soul. I salute his bravery and I honor the life he had.
I’ve attached a photo I took of him and my mother the last time we were all together for Christmas as a family (2004).
#COVID19 #deathtoll #Grief #Trauma #Loneliness #CheckInWithMe #Loss #Veterans #Heartbroken
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