Grandpa Bear.

The night before Max died, Oscar and Angus could not get enough of him. Usually Oscar is pretty shy, even around his grandparents. This particualar evening his behavior was out of the ordinary, and I am very grateful that it was. Oscar wrestled, and played silly with Pops (or Grandma Max). Angus only wanted to be held by Max all evening, and kept almost leaping from our arms to get to him. Oscar wanted to sit by him at dinner, and amazingly enough (for Oscar) he wanted Grandpa Max to read him BOTH of his bed time stories. One of the books he chose to read was entitled Big Smelly Bear (by Britta Teckentrup), which was particulary fitting since Grandpa Max absolutely loved anything with bears. (As you can imagine, we will be reading that book to the boys often over the years to come.)

As Grammy and Pops got ready to leave, Oscar gave them big bear hugs and kisses. Not a common interaction for this sweet boy, unless you are his Mom or Dad. He yelled "I love you" to them as they walked out to Pop's Truck. As they were about to shut the car door, Oscar yelled, "WAIT! You forgot your special treat!" He then ran to the pantry and pulled out the box of Goldfish, exclaiming, "Grammy and Pops need some of these." We put them in a baggy, and handed them off with lots of love.


Grammy later told me that some of those special fish treats from Oscar, garnished Grandpa Max's roasted red pepper and tomato soup the evening of his passing. Proudly I will tell Oscar for years to come, that Grandpa Max was literally filled with love from Oscar as he went to Heaven.