The death of a grandparent is a devastating time in a person’s life. However, when the grandparent contracts a fatal disease and suffers for the duration of the final stage of life, this can make the situation more overwhelming. Dying is a component of the life cycle (Santrock 1999), and this phase can be the most complex to endure. At the concluding stage of my grandfather’s life, he became dependent. We could only watch helplessly as he dwindled away. One thing that comes natural is to reflect upon the memories, comprehend what is taking place in the life cycle, and to treasure the memories that will be with me forever.

One of the earliest memories that I have is as a very young boy. I was about three or four years of age. My Grandfather had a large family and always drove a station wagon. Station wagons in those days are the equivalent to the Sports Utility Vehicles of today. I do not know why I can remember this story so well, but it stands out in my mind. My mother gave birth to the first grandchild, who was I. In the sixties, most large families planted gardens, and raised their own livestock, in order to feed their families. There wa

The death of my grandfather is something that many people throughout the world experience each day. So far, I have attempted to describe how my family dealt with this experience. The stages that I mentioned may or may not be experienced in the exact order by everyone. However, most people do experience one or more of these stages during the final life cycle.

Some of the stages of dying which a person goes through could lead family members to believe that his or her loved ones or friends no longer love them. This statement is far from the truth. I would imagine that the fears and feelings one would possess during this stage of life are overwhelming. The thoughts of leaving family members behind, that may be dependent upon the dying person, and the sudden change in plans may contribute to these feelings. The plans that once included retiring, traveling, or just relaxing, are no longer an option. Death is a part of life. The knowledge, which I have gained, will be helpful to others and me in the future. However, I do not look forward to the day that I will pull from this knowledge.

My grandfather passed away on February 19, 2000. He lived to welcome in the new millennium. The memories of my grandfather will be with me to cherish forever. The fishing trips we made together, the restaurants, the road trips to and from church, and oh yes, the morning we rode together and purchased a couple of dozen eggs from the neighbor.

In some ways, my grandfather and the family were quite fortunate. The pain he experienced was unfortunate for him and the family. No one wants to see his or her loved ones suffer. One advantage that my grandfather experienced was that he knew he was dying. This gave him an opportunity to say his goodbyes to his remaining friends and family. The most important opportunity was the chance for him to make things right with God. Not every person has the opportunity to make peace with his or her maker. Those killed in car accidents, homicides, or the nation’s leading killer, heart disease, usually leave this world without saying any goodbyes.

The fourth stage is the depression stage. My grandfather experienced this stage. This is the stage when the person accepts the certainty of death. It is my belief that the pain associated with this disease can contribute to the depression stage. My grandfather reached the point where he did not have the strength to perform the activities that he once enjoyed doing such as fishing and socializing with his friends. His main social support, his wife, passed away in 1976 of heart disease. I stopped by to visit him one evening and observed him leaning on the tailgate of his old truck. It was apparent that he was in relentless pain. There were times when he felt well enough to go with me for a ride or to grab a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants. During this period, he would be difficult to get along with at t

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