teach*tea*travel: Jasper/Ireland, IN

This weekend, I spent some time in Jasper and Ireland, IN. Although there are many fun things to do in these towns, this wasn't exactly what I would call a "fun" trip. My grandfather passed away on January 7, after battling leukemia, and his visitation and funeral were this past weekend in Jasper and Ireland, respectively.

Friday, January 14, was the visitation. Papaw was at the Becher-Kluesner Funeral Home on Newton Street in Jasper. There were tons of people there!! There was laughter, tears, and old friends and relatives reconnecting and rejoicing in this wonderful man's memory. I saw relatives I hadn't seen in many, many years. I also saw friends and acquaintences that I hadn't seen in some time. By the time the evening was over, over 400 people had attended Papaw's visitation. He certainly touched many lives during his short 67 years with us!!

Saturday, January 15, was Papaw's funeral at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ireland, IN. Papaw's 6 grandkids were his pallbearers (I was very honored to be asked to do this!). We met at the funeral home beforehand, and all drove behind the hearse to Ireland. The service was very nice and several people came to honor Papaw's memory. Afterward, we had a meal in the community center. It was so nice to visit with family members that I rarely see! I just wish it could have been under different circumstances.

I miss my papaw very much. He was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia at the end of July, 2010. He had many blood and platelet transfusions, and spent quite a bit of time in Indianapolis at the IU Medical Center and at the Methodist Hospital. Our family spent as much time with him as we could. Through an organization called Fair Haven Foundation, my Granny was able to get an apartment across the street from the hospital. This greatly helped with the driving back-and-forth to visit Papaw. He had a stem cell transplant just before Thanksgiving. The doctors released him to come home for Christmas, and two weeks later he was gone.

I still really can't believe that he's not here anymore. I have so many great memories of him!! After he passed away, I helped my Granny, Aunt Krissy, and Mom put together several picture boards. There were tons of pictures of my papaw, and in every.single.one of them, he was smiling. Even when he was so sick with cancer, he always smiled and thanked his doctors and nurses for their help. He was one of the most kind, caring, and friendly people I have ever met. He was a huge fan of sports (especially the Colts and IU) and loved fishing and animals. I remember him dancing and playing the tambourine at my wedding reception, and I called him before I went into the Superdome for the Saints game back in October. I like to think he was very proud of me for having enough courage to go on a trip by myself!!

Here are a few pictures of my Papaw Schitter: