Good Bye Grandpa!

The passing of my grandfather was a big one for me since it was my first grandparent to pass away. I'm however happy that he left us peacefully and not in a large amount of pain. He had been rushed to the ER too many times and was seeing doctors on a weekly basis. Not that my grandmother is happy to see her husband of nearly 60 years go, but I think it's a huge responsibility lifted off of her. For as long as I can remember, she has been taking care of my grandpa. I never saw my grandpa drive a car because he has always been in not as good health. Not sure if he couldn't see, or couldn't breathe, but he has always had health problems. Then as he got older, he got progressively worse. He wasn't able to make it to my wedding or my cousin Rachels. I know if he could have been there he would be. He was on an oxygen machine so flying was out of the question and driving was too difficult for him.

I learned a lot about my family with this trip to Reno. I learned why my father is the way he is, although I still haven't figured out why it's so hard to make him smile. My father is anal about his car and being cleaned and waxed. He also has a lot of his things in certain spots around the house. He has his own filing system. He LOVES jazz and the drums. My grandfather, although he couldn't drive took huge pride in his cars and having them immaculate. My grandfather, Wayne smith, was in a band where he played the trumpet. I learned that when my father was young, grandpa sat the 4 kids down and had them listen to the Dave Brubeck band and to a few certain songs. Those songs became famous and are now two of my favorite songs. Infact I'm sure they played at my wedding. I also learned that he is the one family member who started the infamous smith family tongue sticking out in pictures. Rachel and I have been given grief about taking pictures with our tounges sticking out for years. We always thought it was our uncle denis who started it. Nope. Now it's a tradition. Thank you grandpa!



Wayne lived a very full life and enjoyed smiling, which makes me wonder what happened to my dad. Lol. Not to say that my dad doesn't smile, but it's not too often you see a smile.
It's always nice to spend time with extended family. I enjoyed bringing brad along with me this time so they all got to meet him and get to know him a little bit better. I'm pretty sure brad and my uncle denis bonded over football while we were there. My cousin Rachel and I are wanting to drive down to Laramie to spend thanksgiving with my uncle denis so he isn't alone. Rachel and her husband Aaron live in Denver and it's a short drive to Laramie for them. It'd be a longer drive for brad and I but I think it's well worth it.
Brad and I stayed at circus circus which is downtown Reno. I grew up going to circus circus and getting my face painted and playing in the main area. I went back after not being there for years and it's far less impressive than I remember. It was so much bigger when I was 7!! Brad and I spent a few hours downstairs in the casino. I blew 10 bucks in the penny slots and brad sat down at a blackjack tables. We made probably 40 bucks over the 3 nights we went down there. Better than losing everything I suppose.

Over all it was a pretty good visit despite the circumstances. It was sad to see my grandfather pass, but I know that he isn't in anymore pain. He isn't itching. He doesn't have to be on oxygen machine. He won't run out of breathe walking 15 feet. He is in a better place and can watch over all of us!
Thank you grandpa for being who you are and giving me those awesome memories we made.