We will be attending the funeral of Ryan's Grandpa on Friday. He died peacefully this past Friday, surrounded by his daughters. It was exactly a week from diagnosis to death. We are all thankful for how God spared him from suffering. Even to the end, he was cracking jokes, and when not medicated for pain, alert and interested. You'd think he was sleeping, so you'd whisper something and quick as a wink he'd say, "What did you say?" 

Ryan was able to get to the hospital very quickly after Grandpa died, because he works a couple blocks away. I think it was good that he could be there, without me or the kids for a bit. I was also working, at the store (thank goodness I wasn't teaching, as it was a PD day), and Ryan's Mom and sister had my kids. I was able to leave work and go pick up the kids. I wasn't sure what my plans were, but when I got to Mom and Dad's place, Heather was packing up to take the kids with her, so I followed suit. The palliative care unit at St. Paul's is amazing, and they have a great room with toys and such. On our way, I was trying to explain to Jared that Great-Grandpa had died and was in Heaven, the same place that Grandma Unger is. I told him that it would be sad and some people might cry. Our conversation went something like this:

Me: "Even Daddy might cry."

Jared: "Daddy? Why?"

Me: "Yeah, Daddy. Because Great-Grandpa died and it's sad for Daddy."

Jared: "Why?"

Me: "Because he can't see him here on earth anymore. But we'll see him in Heaven."

Jared: "I don't want to go with you anymore, Mommy." (He'd begged to go to the hospital after he found out that Attitcus was going.)

Me: "But it's okay, Jared. Daddy will be alright."

Jared: "Daddy will be alright?"

Me: "Yup, he'll be alright."

Jared: "Daddy will be alright...COWS! Mommy - lots of cows!"

We were driving past the cows at the University of Saskatchewan. I'm not sure if they belong to the Vet College or the College of Ag, but their "pasture" is right along College Drive, and Jared spotted them, thus ending our death conversation. But he was hesitant to come with me when we did arrive...