Pop has struggled with Alzheimer's for a while now; I remember meeting him just once a couple of years ago when he was still cognizant and living at home. But M and family have shared quite a few stories with me, making his passing just a little bit more bittersweet.
And with his passing, I've been thinking a lot about his generation- The Greatest Generation- and all that they experienced. Pop himself fought (and lost an arm) serving in Europe in World War Two. He raised and loved four children and 4 grandchildren and worked hard all of his life. And from what I gather, he was pretty darn funny, too. The Greatest Generation strikes me as a generation who understood sacrifice, knew the realities of and importance of family and knew how to kick back and relax with a good beer. They didn't need the internet, they didn't even need cell phones. And while I know it's always popular to look back with a nostalgic glance that often doesn't see clearly, I can't help but think theirs was- and is- a generation to be respected and emulated.
What a man. And yes, what a generation. That is a great picture, and I can see M in his face.
ReplyDeleteOur love goes out to the family.