Motherhood & Words

My grandpa, Spencer Nelson, died early this morning.
In the coming days and weeks, I’m sure I’ll write more about my last days with him, but for now, I’ll just post a few photos.

Grandpa and Grandma were florists. Here he stands with a bouquet.
He served in WWII as a Military Police officer on stateside trains. (Because of a knee injury he was ineligible to fight.)
Here with my Grandma, my mom, and his mother-in-law on a weekend home.
50th wedding anniversary. 
At the cabin. Notice his t-shirt: “You can always tell a Swede. But you can’t tell him much.”
So much attitude.
One of many tricks he devised to still be able to swing the club and not fall over after he lost his balance. 

I love him and I miss him already. May his optimism, which never wavered, live on.
Thank you for all you warm thoughts and prayers over the last days. I can’t tell you how much it’s meant to me.

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Kate

I have been teaching creative writing for almost twenty years. Reading about other women’s lives and experiences has expanded my world. To be able to walk in someone else’s shoes, whether it’s for a moment or an hour or a few days, is an incredible gift, providing me with insight into the human experience. It takes courage to write your truths, especially if it doesn’t seem as though anyone cares, as though anyone is listening. Let me tell you: your stories matter, I’m listening, and I’m here to help you find the heart of those truths, to get them down on the page, to craft them, and to send them out into the world. Together, we will change the world, one story at a time.

13 Comments

  1. Elizabeth on June 30, 2011 at 1:31 pm

    Oh, Kate. God bless you and your beautiful, beautiful grandfather. Thank you for sharing a bit of his extraordinary life with all of us. I send you hugs and comfort as you grieve.



  2. Motherly Law on June 30, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    Kate

    So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family. I love the photos! What great memories and momentos.Thinking about you!

    Thanks for sharing!
    Anna
    Motherly Law



  3. Pia on June 30, 2011 at 2:02 pm

    Truly a rich, full, loved life he lived. No one could ask for more, and how blessed you are to have been a part of his life. And he to have you in it. I wish you peace as you grieve and celebrate him.



  4. Natalie on June 30, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    Kate,
    So sorry for your loss. He is at peace with the Lord and I'm sure he will be greatly missed. I love the photo of him golfing and finding a way to still swing. So much inventiveness and passion. The photo made me smile. Hang in there over the next few days. My prayers are with you and your family.
    ~Natalie



  5. Joy Riggs on June 30, 2011 at 3:47 pm

    So, so sorry, Kate. Thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures. Thinking of you. -Joy



  6. Karna Converse on June 30, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    Thinking of you and hoping the memories of happier days bring a smile to your face.



  7. Miss Frangipani on July 1, 2011 at 12:29 am

    Oh, Kate. I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing his memories (and last days) with us. We'll hold him (and you) in our prayers. May he rest in peace.

    Hugs,
    Chryselle



  8. Mary on July 1, 2011 at 2:04 am

    Oh Kate, I'm so so sorry. I'm thinking of you and sending love. xoxo, mary



  9. Sarah on July 1, 2011 at 8:29 am

    I'm so sorry for your loss, Kate. His spirit of optimism will live on through you and the others whose lives he touched. My grandfather died when I was seventeen. But he is very much alive in my heart and I tell my girls about him even though he died way before they were born. Thinking of you and your family.



  10. Sara on July 1, 2011 at 9:26 am

    Kate, he sounds like an amazing person. Thank you for introducing us to him. I'm sorry he's gone.



  11. cath c on July 1, 2011 at 10:46 am

    i am so sorry for your loss. your love for him is obvious in the ways you've been writing about him in the posts i've read for the past couple of years.

    big hugs to you and your family.



  12. Gwen on July 5, 2011 at 9:22 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss. Of course he had a wonderful life, and long. But it's always hard to say goodbye. My thoughts are with you.



  13. Myrna CG Mibus on July 7, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    We've been out of town and I am just now catching up on my blogs and just now read about your grandfather. I'm so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you.