Bernard Major

I remember when I was pregnant with Kambree I would pray all the time that my grandparents would still be alive to hold my first baby. I was so lucky to be able to have that  wish come true. My grandpa was an amazing man. I think that my favorite thing about him was that he would always hug me really tight and tell me that I was a very special granddaughter and that he loved me so much. I know he said this to every single one of his grandkids. But when he said it to me I felt like nobody else mattered to him as much as I did. Grandpa always loved seeing his grandkids and always had a smile on his face. He was definitely a big time worry wart. Just like myself. Every time my family tells me that I worry too much, I just tell them that I got it from Grandpa Major.

My grandpa hadn't been doing well the last couple months. He was diagnosed with Dementia and was having terrible headaches due to the lack of oxygen he had. He always worried where my grandma was and would even check on her when she was sleeping to make sure she was still alive. Grandma always would tell me how hard it was on her to be woke up all the time. But I sort of thought it was cute how much he cared about her. He was in a rehabilitation center for a couple weeks and I went for a visit. I couldn't get over how in love my grandpa was with grandma. He kept asking her how she was doing and would scoot as close to her as he could.

The night before he died I went to see him. Grandma wouldn't leave his side and just kept rubbing his head. I told her how hard it was for me to have to let him go and she looked at me and told me I had to tell him that it was time to go and that he could go. She told me to tell him to go see my mom. I think that was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. I had never told someone I loved so much that they could die. I didn't want him to die. I wanted to be selfish and tell him to stay and fight and live for me. But in the end I knew that wasn't right so I told him he could leave this earth and asked him to give my mom a hug and tell her how much I miss and love her. My cousin's husband sent me a photo of his last night. He said Grandma was with him like this the entire night. Even after he had passed away she still stayed by his side and continued to rub his head.

I will miss him more than I can explain in words. My favorite memories of grandpa are:

Having him in my life so much as a father figure. I basically lived with him for 2 years while my mom was sick in the hospital. I remember grandpa reading books to me every night and tucking me into bed.

I will miss doing his hair. He never had much hair but he would let me comb it with water and rub lotion on his head.

I will miss his hugs most of all and his loving words.

I remember after having Kambree how he kept telling me what a beautiful baby boy I had. My grandma quickly told him that she was a girl! :) He said, "Well either way he is beautiful!"

He was such a wonderful grandpa and I feel extremely grateful to have had him in my life for so long. He made such a huge impact to me and through him I was able to see what true love really is.

I love you Grandpa and can't wait for the day that I can see you again!