"If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to Heaven, and bring you home again."

My Grandma Elsie and Papa John were two of the most talented,
smartest, funniest, sweetest and most caring people I have ever known.
They were both amazing at everything they did.  Grandma was an
elementary school teacher for 17 years, and Papa worked for Texaco
for over 40 years.  I spent every summer until I was 10 with Papa and Grandma.
Thanks to them, my sister and I went on a lot of summer vacations, to
places that we probably wouldn't have gotten to go otherwise!

My Grandma had scleroderma, a disease which caused her skin to
tighten, and made it difficult for her to breathe.  She spent the last few
months of her life in the hospital in my hometown, Buffalo, WY.  At the time
she was diagnosed there was so little known about the disease, and
I don't believe any of us had even heard of it.  On December 11, 1984, Grandma
passed away at the young age of 58.  She brought joy to the lives of so many
people, leaving a lasting impression on those she met and loved.   

Papa continued to live in Gillette, WY, after Grandma's passing.  In
Sept. 2000, after surgery,  Papa moved to Buffalo to live in the nursing
home.  His mind was as sharp as ever, but he was not able to get around well
anymore.  He enjoyed all the visits from his 2 great-grandsons, who always
brought a smile to his face.  I can still hear him chuckling when he
heard a silly story about something the boys had done!  At the end of Oct. 2002,
Papa began to feel ill.  It turned out he had appendicitis.  He went into
surgery on Sunday, Nov. 3.  On Nov. 6, 2002, Papa passed away peacefully
at the age of 85.  To this day, there are still a lot of questions about
 the week preceding Papa's surgery.  We can't help but feel
that if he had been taken care of sooner, he may still be with us today.
I read a poem at the funeral, with my sister and cousin Sara standing
beside me.  It was one of the toughest things I've ever done, but
something I really wanted to do for Papa.  I'm so thankful that I
did have my Papa for as long as I did.  He was such a charming
man, and like Grandma, left a mark on the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

My heart is filled with so many happy memories of Grandma & Papa.
 I feel very lucky to have had two of the most beautiful and amazing people for
my grandparents.  We miss them every single day, and know they are
 watching over us.

For more information on scleroderma:

Scleroderma Research Foundation
I Have Scleroderma
Scleroderma From A to Z

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