On Monday, February 15th, we were able to take the kids up to Murray to say goodbye to Grandpa Hadfield. Being Monday, it was Family Home Evening. Larry and Carrie were taking Jennifer back to school in Ephraim and had sung the Family Night song in the car and suggested someone sing it to Grandpa. Since we were heading up for family night and Kevin and Karrie's family were heading over for their family night, we both said we'd sing it to him.
We talked with Henlie a bit on the drive up about what was happening and what was going to come in the near future. She was pleasant for most of the drive. I told Matt I'd never been in this situation before, knowing someone is going to die and having a chance to say goodbye. When my mom died, it was unexpected. I've known of others dying, but no one I was close to. I was emotional and a bit anxious as we headed to the hospital.
We got there at the same time as Kevin and Karrie, so we all headed up together. Melody was just passing the torch to Laurie, so we chatted with them a bit. Grandpa was napping, but Kevin woke him and we all went in to visit for a bit. By this point, Henlie (who probably had fallen asleep in the car, but I don't remember, really), did not want to be there. She didn't want to sing to Grandpa (even though she knows the song). She was having a rough time and Matt had to take her for a walk once or twice because she was throwing fits.
I'm really glad Kevin and Karrie were there at the same time. I didn't have to speak :) We visited a bit and then I told Grandpa it was Monday night. He said, "What are ya gonna do about it?" I asked if we could sing the Family Night song, so we all sang. Sort of. It's hard to sing while crying. It was a special time. After we sang, Grandpa bore his testimony. He said, "There is a right way to go." He thanked us for coming and reminding him of that.
I think it was Kevin who asked Grandpa if there was anything we could do for him. He told us what we know he had told others who'd asked the same (thanks, GroupMe!). He told us to be happy. Love one another, and be kind to each other.
We took some pictures with Grandpa and then headed home. Turns out we parked right next to Kevin and Karrie :) We chatted and then got in our respective cars. The difference in feeling was stark. Going up, I was so sad and anxious. Heading home, knowing that was the last time we'd see Grandpa alive, I felt peace. It was an interesting feeling.
I'm so grateful things worked out so we could visit with him on Monday. If they hadn't moved him until Tuesday, we wouldn't have been able to go up until evening, if at all. And, as mentioned in the previous post, we wouldn't have been able to interact with him really. It was a very tender mercy that we were still able to go up Monday.
Grandpa's influence will be felt for the rest of our lives. And as we sing the Family Night song every week, we will carry a bit of him with us and into future generations. We love you, Grandpa.
