Today would have been my grandfather's 86th birthday. Instead, he slipped away in his sleep on July 2nd, less than 3 weeks ago. But it was no shock; for the past 3 years he's been slipping away. It started, rather gruesomely, with infections on his toe that would just not heal. He was diabetic, so knew what this meant; eventually both his legs were amputated to save his life. At the same time, his mind started to wander. He was unable to keep a conversation & was in a state of almost constant agitation. He'd called me by an aunt's name for years, but now seemed to think I actually was her; introducing me to nurses as his daughter. I realise there was no point in contradicting him; it would just upset him more. Watching his physical & mental self slip away was the hardest thing I have ever had to witness.
I've spent the last number of years grieving for the shell of a person he had become. Now I feel like I can celebrate the person he really was. I realise now that I did inherit some traits from him; a work ethic (for employment, not housework!) and my love of animals, especially big dogs.
He was fairly strict as far as grandparents go, though he would pause from his hard-working ways long enough for a wee hug & a spin on the bike, or a walk with the dogs when we were big enough to hold a lead. My brother & I often got roped into stacking boxes & helping out around the home-based business, sometimes even getting a spin in the van for deliveries. 
Of course, it wasn't all hard work. The best breakfast was Nana's fresh brown bread & tea from a saucer, before the working man left the house for the day (once we learned to sit still).
I take comfort knowing that he lived a long life, & passed away in his sleep with family around him. If only we could all be so lucky.
What a lovely post, with great pictures. It must be some relief to feel finally able to celebrate who he was, rather than worrying about what he was becoming *hugs*
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