Grandpa V.

My Grandpa Vellner passed away on Thursday night. Ten weeks ago, he was diagnosed with Lung Cancer, Stage IV, it had already attacked his bones. My heart is broken for my Grandma and my "Marm" (this is the name we call my step-mom... we got it from the movie "Little Women") I didn't get a chance to spend much time with Grandpa as they lived in South Florida. My memories of him are as a sweet, gentle, patient and loving man. I remember long, quiet talks. He always seemed quiet yet he loved to tell stories. My favorite memory is of him holding Alyson when she was 2 months old. He would walk her, rock her and sing to her. It was hard for us to get her away from him but none of us really tried. He was in his 80's and led a full life. They are from Michigan and moved to Florida. They liked to travel for a while but then settled in a community with lots of friends (who also moved there from Michigan). Of the three couples who have been best friends for as long as I've known them, he was the last of the men to pass away. Now it is just the ladies. I'm praying for strength for them. I'm so glad they are there for Grandma. I just want to go to Atlanta and give Marm a big hug. I hope to do that soon. I'm also praying for my brothers, Ben and AJ. They were very close to Grandpa and I know this has been very hard on them. I love you Grandpa and know I will see you again one day!