Great Grandfather Mathews

Well I don't quite know what to say today for once. The main idea of this post is that my grandfather, Frank Mathews, passed away yesterday on January 28th with his family in Tucson Arizona. I wanted a chance to say the things that have been on my mind over the past few months and I feel that this is as good of a venue as any since this blog is partly entertainment for you and partly a diary for me. Baby Fisch won't ever get to know their great grandfather. It makes me sad because this kid is the only great grandkid on the Mathews side. I really think Frank would have enjoyed getting to know this baby, even from a distance. I had never gotten a chance to spend a lot of time with him growing up, but he always remembered my birthday and holidays. He'd send hand written notes to let me know I meant something to him. He certainly didn't have to. How many of us have family that don't acknowledge us anymore? The last time that I saw him was when Josh and I got married. He was quiet (as Mathews men tend to be) and probably felt a little out of place in Pittsburgh. But he was there. For me and my dad. He could have said he was too old or too tired to travel, but he didn't. I will always remember that. I'll remember how he took my dad and I horseback riding in the desert when we visited years ago. And I'll remember how he took that time to give me MY great grandmother's wedding ring. That was the first heirloom that anyone ever gave me. I was 12 years old yet I knew how special that moment was for both me and my grandfather. Even though our time together was sporadic at best, I know that I'm a Mathews through and through. My dad wouldn't be who he is without Frank and in turn, neither would I. I most recently learned that my love of wildflowers and margaritas has been passed down over the past few generations of Mathews men and women :) I'll end by saying that I was really hoping to rekindle a closer relationship with my grandfather and that Baby Fisch would be that bridge. However, now that doesn't seem to be how it's going to work out. And that's ok. He or she will still have their Granpa Jeff to tell them the stories about when he was growing up in Illinois with his dad and brother. Those are the events that made my dad who he is today and I wouldn't trade him for anything. We all have good memories and bad memories of those around us. It's up to us to decide what we want to remember when someone is gone. I'm choosing to remember the good. And I'm choosing to make sure that Baby Fisch will know what family is and how we only ever get one. And that it's the most precious gift our ancestors have ever given us. Rest peacefully Grandfather Frank. And help keep an eye out for your great grandbaby please!