Posted: 11/14/2013 5:04:31 PM EDT
| It's probably inappropriate but my grandfather James Finley just left us. One of the greatest generation is gone and I'm a mess. I wish I had done more, so those with time, go talk to the old man and hear his story. Otherwise, you could be a failure with nothing to show like me. |
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Sorry for the loss but you can start writing a bio about your youth for all those that remain just in case you didn't get to sit down and tell them stories like the ones you missed.
I did and got 80 pages done so far. It is a mish-mosh of memories in a somewhat chronological order but far from exact but that doesn't matter overall. |
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My grandfather died without ever having mentioned his service in WW2. I learned after he died the details of his serving in the PTO. I don't consider it failure by any stretch of the immagination because I or anyone else didn't have a chance to learn more. Would I have liked to hear it in his words? You're damn right I would, Do I feel like a failure having not spoken about it with him? Shit no!
Remember the good times, I miss my grandfather terribly. In the end he is in a better place. Be proud of his service, be proud of the man he was. Thank you for your service Mr Finley and may you rest in peace. |
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Quoted:
1. You're not a failure. 2. Sorry for your loss. 3. Hope that someday you have the fortune to tell your story to someone. Carry on kind sir. Be thankful you've been able to spend time with him. I would give anything to have been able to meet my grandfathers. |
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“So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none. When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.” - Chief Tecumseh of the Shawnee (1768 - 1813). *** Your grandfather has gone home now. Someday you also shall go home and be with him again. Until then, be brave and always live your life in such a way that it will make him proud. Do not call yourself a "failure." God bless you and sorry for your loss. |
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One of my grandfathers died when I was 9 months old. Mom says I'd see him, and throw myself at him. I don't remember him. :(
The other grandfather had 3 or 4 strokes. By the time I was old enough to talk to him, he couldn't talk. Count your blessings! Losing a loved one can affect you profoundly. Make you re-evaluate your life's decisions. That's tough, but necessary. You aren't a failure until you quit trying. One other note: You are always a hero in someone else's eyes They don't see your self-doubts, your inner turmoil. They only see what you show them. Sounds like you might want to look beyond yourself, just a bit, and gain an appreciation of your life, as someone else see's it. Their view may startle you. |
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This, all of it. Quoted:
Quoted:
1. You're not a failure. 2. Sorry for your loss. 3. Hope that someday you have the fortune to tell your story to someone. Carry on kind sir. This, all of it. Yup. My Mom was just ready to go to her reward. God bless her and you and your grandfather. |
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Sorry for your loss. Be grateful you even knew your grandfather. This. I knew my grandfather. He was a WWII vet but he passed away when I was about 19. I never go to ask him about how it was for him during the war. I know he grew up in Kentucky and worked in the coal mines. Married my grandmother somewhere around Virginia. A few years later, (early 50's I think), packed up the family and moved cross country to California, then all the way back to Florida, before finally settling in Texas. |
| Thanks for the kind words, gents. Sorry for the theatrics, I had just downed 6 oz of Bellemeade and wanted to memorialize the old man. He was an Army Colonel during WWII. He also built furniture in his shop, including beautiful chairs and tables I still have, had an expansive garden, harvested clams, taught chemistry, and loved Shiner Bock. I'm sure he's the reason I love beer and make it for a living. It's uplifting to see GD's responses, thanks again. |