Goodbye

I got a phone call from my mom this morning that my Grandfather, John Benjamin Cole, passed away this morning at 2:45 am at the age of 88. He apparently waited for my parents to leave, which was at 1:30 am. I wish I could say that I knew my Grandfather well, but I don't. He and my Grandmother (who died years ago of cervical cancer) lived in New Mexico for the majority of my life. They would visit us every so often, but I didn't know him like I knew my mom's parents.

I do remember some great things about him. He was a scientist for the National Labs in New Mexico. He was also incredibly smart. Technology was his forte' and he wa an amazing photographer. There are pictures of us in New Mexico when I was maybe 4 or 5. I was wearing a blue Care Bears sweatshirt and my hair was in braided pig tails. These pictures consisted of various shots of rocks, caves, caverns and animals found in the wild of New Mexico. He enjoyed showing us new things that were interesting. I even remember learning what a CB radio was and we talked to "truckers" while driving.

He was a also a very stubborn man, set in his ways and always right. It's a "Cole" thing! Almost a year ago to the day, my father moved my grandfather to Florida. He was all alone in New Mexico, and at the age of 87, not such a good idea. They finally convinced him to move and, I believe, had a great last year of his life. However, he lived a very long life and was a very honorable man. He served in the US Air Force as a Command Pilot and fought in the war. Which one, well I'm just not sure. My father gave him a personal flight for his 88th birthday in which a pilot took him up in a place out of Ocala Airport and even let my grandfather fly the plane. He also had the opportunity to go to Kennedy Space Center and watch a Space Shuttle Launch up close and personal. As my Dad says, my grandfather was part of the team who developed some of the technology on board the shuttle.
He even adopted a Siamese cat, named Neo, who is now adjusting to life with my parents and their crazy black lab, Belle.

My Grandfather also went through a lot in his life - loosing his wife, loosing his youngest son to suicide, living as a war veteran, etc. He always had pride, and was a good man. Luckily, he went in his sleep, and with no pain, assured to us by the Hospice nurses. I believe in my heart that my Grandfather made his amends with God and is now happy and "Home" with his true love, my Grandmother, Eva Dale Cole.

Grandpop, you were a fascinating man, and I appreciate all that you taught me. You loved your Nascar races, the Raven that lived in your canyon in New Mexico, a great glass of scotch, and chocolate! You had a long, full life and I'm happy that you're Home with Grandmom. Goodbye, you will be missed!