Great Grandpa Ken

Brett's grandfather passed away last week...and we've all been thinking about him a lot. He was 96 years old, and was starting to be pretty uncomfortable--everything was getting difficult for him--eating, breathing, getting around. He was a photographer, gardener, singer, swimmer (almost went to the Olympics), and a maker of tools. For much of his life he was vegetarian, and he used homeopathy and liked to look at the stars. He was active in a Theosophy group that met for years and years. There was no funeral--His family was not huge, and he's outlived most of his friends. The plan is to scatter his ashes near Cannon Beach, along the Oregon Coast.
I saw Ken on our last trip to the NW, just less than a year ago--the picture above is on that trip, as we waited for breakfast at a Portland pancake hot spot. Elly is Ken's wife of 15 or so years...and there are Maya and Jonah looking on.
We miss him!
It isn't that we talked to him a lot, and the most we saw him in recent years was once a year when we visited the NW. But Ken and Elly made a real impact on our kids--they always remembered the kids' birthdays with sweet cards, decorations, money and little treasures. Even from a distance, they have managed to stay up to date with what the kids are into and the things that are important to them. In fact, of all our relatives, one thing that stands out to me with Ken and Elly is that they have always had an ability to really see you. As in, who you are right now, what is interesting, and what is good about you, without having an agenda for you. It is as if we are unfolding into something, and they just wanted to be there to see our incredible progress in life. A nice perspective, really.
My heart goes out to Elly right now, who is probably slogging through the details...not only missing her mate but without the anchor that has secured and defined her days for a long time. She has been a brilliant partner to him--he was pretty lucky to have someone so devoted and kind as his companion. But I've noticed that these things usually aren't unreciprocated, and I think there is probably a big hole in her life now where he used to be.
Hugs to you Elly, from us all!