Saying Goodbye

We returned last night from San Antonio, where we have been with Luke's family for the past couple of days following the death of his sweet grandfather. It was a bittersweet time of fellowship, as most funeral gatherings are. We had a wonderful time reconnecting with his fun cousins and precious aunts, as well as relatives we hadn't seen since we got married. Grandpa became ill late in 2004 and has been lovingly cared for in the home of Luke's Aunt Sharon for the past 2 years. Grandma and Grandpa Janecek had 5 daughters, and of course, numerous grandchildren and grandchildren-in-law (like me!) and he always made each of us feel special. The past few years he would work out in his shop creating beautiful birdhouses and bird feeders. One Christmas he presented each of his grandkids and their spouses with a bird house or feeder that was unique. No two were alike. He said that he had designed each one of them according to what came to mind when he thought of the person for whom he was building it. Mine was a beautiful white church! I have treasured it so much, no bird has touched it yet! It was evident this weekend from those in attendance at the services just how much he meant to so many in his family and community. It was wonderful to see and be a part of.

The motel we stayed in was right next to a "Pig Stand" restaurant, which was a sweet reminder of where he and Grandma (who passed away in 1992) met. They first met at the Pig Stand on Gaston Ave. and East Grand in Dallas back in 1939. According to an essay Grandma wrote back in 1991, "...It was good to have a place to go to just talk and enjoy music..."Beer Barrel Polka" was the hit tune to dance to. Here we are 52 years later with 5 children, 18 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, and very much in love... and to think, it all started at the Pig Stand!"

Grandpa's Seasoning

Grandpa and his brother Jerry concocted a special seasoning blend that we use with every meal. He used to give it to us occasionally, and finally Luke and his brother got the recipe and began making it themselves. Whenever we've given it to people, they always ask for more! At our table, saying "Please pass the Grandpa's" is said more often than, "Please pass the salt." During the last couple of weeks as Luke's aunts sat together by Grandpa's bedside, they spent time writing a wonderful multi-paged booklet about Grandpa's life, which they gave each of us this weekend. One page had "Grandpa-isms" on it. When I first read them, I immediately thought of them as "Grandpa's Seasonings" that he would sprinkle into conversations! Here they are:

"Yup"

"Nope"

"Aw, that's alright, we don't need that piece..."

"Want to go to the cafe?"

Well, damn honey!"

"You can't get them to work, but they sure can suck back a Miller Lite."

"Okey-dokey, we better run Honey!"

(and my personal favorite) "You can tell them all you want, but you can't tell them much!"

Grandpa, you seasoned so many lives. You will be missed.