Our week with Grandpa

Starting Sunday, Oct. 19th, Drew and I had a wonderful week with Grandpa. On our way over to Hilo, we drove to the summit of Mauna Kea to watch the sunrise. As we watched the sun come up over the clouds, my mind immediately went to the sunset. Grandpa was definitely in the sunset of his life. He had lived an exceptional life, full of proud memories. Now it was his time to return to our Heavenly Father. As we drove down the mountain towards Hilo, I wondered how I would react to seeing him in such a weakened, dependent state. After attending his ward with Aunty Gaylene, Uncle Aldon and Kulani, we drove over to see him. I must admit, at first, it was heart-wrenching to have to help him with routine activities. After all, Grandpa had always been my hero. I think he played every sport known to man. He had always been in such great shape. It was a vivid reminder of how age can take its toll and how fragile life is.

Over the next several days we helped Grandpa with his meal-time routine.

He ate until he was full (well, at least until he felt full, which usually consisted of 5-25 small bites). He always ate the poi, the gravy and the pureed prunes. He would try the main dish, but couldn't stand the sour fruit juice. After eating, he always liked to rinse his mouth out. He then had us put on his University of Hawaii hat and sunglasses, hand him a toothpick and take him for a ride in his wheelchair around the parking lot and through a shaded path. I think this was his highlight of the day.

We would sit with him on the Lanai. He wanted to face inward so the sun wouldn't be in his eyes. And he wanted to be as far away from the cigarette smoke as possible!

After his walk, we would take him back inside for his three-times-a-day rubdown, which included powder, sometimes lotion, and lots of rubbing. Not massaging, just lots of gentle, skin-on-skin rubbing. He absolutely loved this. He would alternate between pleasant moans, "oohs", "aaaahs" and "thank yous".

Sometimes he'd want to rinse one more time or brush his teeth before being put back to bed, only to be woken up for the next meal, physical therapy or for someone to check his vitals.

Interlaced throughout this "process" was time for much conversation. We enjoyed hearing his stories about the tidal wave, the strike or his sports victories. Different was the pace at which he told the story. It was slower with fewer details, but we had pretty much had the stories memorized. We just enjoyed hearing his voice. He would ask what we did between meals. When we responded with "went to Akaka Falls", "ran around Queen Lili'uokalani Park", "ate at Ken's House of Pancakes", "swam at Onekahakaha Beach" or "went jumping on Coconut Island", he would tell a short story of one of his memories of each place.

I will try to post more later, but here are a few memorable quotes from Grandpa. You can tell he was still just as witty as ever.

-"Grandpa, what do you do between meals?"
"I sleep."
"OK, what do you do when you're awake?"
"Sleep."

-"Tell them they don't need to take my vitals at night. If I'm asleep, I must be OK, right?"

-After encouraging him to eat more, he responded, "I'm welterweight you know, I gotta watch my weight."

-After showing him a picture I took of Raukawa jumping off the Coconut Island tower, and in mid-air, baring his rear, Grandpa said, "he should've been holding his nose instead of showing off like that."

-When we helped him brush his teeth, he would remind us he only wanted only "one drop of toothpaste."

-When the nurse covered up his legs with a blanket, he said, "hey, don't cover me up - I've got nice legs you know?"

We love you, Grandpa! You're an inspiration to us all.