OT, but I am experiencing a moment of rather strong sadness over the loss of my grandfather, who was a true man among men in my life for 30 years.

He passed away in November. He was many things. A war hero (WW II) A loving husband (married 62 years to my grandmother, who is still with us), a loving father and the most awesome grandfather a guy could ever have.

I never remember getting angry at my grandfather and I never remember him being disrespectful towards me. I can’t say that about very many people in my life, including those in my immediate family.

The last time I saw my grandfather he was in the hospital and very weak. He kept drifting in and out of sleep. My grandmother, who, bless her heart, stayed by his side night and day until the very end, kept trying to perk him up by saying: “Come on Gordon, let’s go dancing.”

It was both one of the sweetest and most heartbreaking things I’ve ever seen. My grandmother taught me a lot about love during Grandpa’s final days.

I wrote this poem in honor of them:

The doctor’s left the room now dear,
It’s only you and me,
Until this moment I never knew,
How difficult this could be.

I know the time is getting late,
the moon is hanging high,
and a solitary quiet tear
is trickling from your eye.

These days have been so trying,
I know you badly want to rest,
But if you are willing to allow me,
I have one small request:

Let’s go dancing one more time,
The way we always did,
And tear up that old wooden floor,
Like two lovestruck young kids.

You used to love our nights out,
I can still see that winning smile,
We had the best moves of anyone,
A truly special style.

The years, they passed so quickly,
And our bodies slowed us down,
But every time that music played,
We just had to move around.

It’s no secret the day will come,
When we’ll have to say goodbye,
But before you know it we’ll meet again,
At that dance club in the sky.

And I’ll be there dressed to the nines,
The band will start to play,
I’ll take my lady by the hand,
There’s just one thing to say:

Let’s go dancing one more time,
We’ll tear up that old floor,
And by the time our song ends,
We’ll still be wanting more.

I miss you Gramps. You were the best.