One year later..........

A year ago I was sitting outside a Dell Webb hospital ICU with my family waiting for the doctors to sign-off on the removal of my Grandpa's life support. It had been a gruelling 5 days of ups and downs for our family and the decision to have him removed from his respirator was not an easy one....as if it ever would be!! You see, just one month prior my Grandpa was a strong, active fun loving 85yr old man who was looking forward to the upcoming marriage of one granddaughter and the expected delivery of great-grandchild #12. He went to the doctor for a routine physical and came away being diagnosed with lung cancer! Our entire family was in SHOCK!! He was given his treatment options.......do nothing, go through 6 months of chemo or have surgery to remove the spot. He opted for surgery, feeling it was the fastest way to be rid of the cancer so he could get bak to living his life.

On May 15 he went in for the surgery and came out 100% cancer free. As a family we were ecstatic!! Then on May 19 he had a massive heart attack and was put on a respirator. My family flew to AZ on May 21 and over the next 5 days we slowly watched his life slip away.

On May 26 I added another event to my list of "Most Meaningful Events" in my life. I watched my Grandpa take his last breath on earth. Yes, it was absolutely heart renching, but it was also extremely special. My Grandfather was surrounded by his wife of 63yrs, his 6 children and 8 of his 19 grandchildren. I was am extremely greatful that I was there for his last moments and I had the chance to tell him I loved him and to say "I'll be seeing you!!"........I refuse to say "Goodbye!!"

One year ago I stood in a chapel in front of family, friends and my Grandfathers friends to deliver his euligy. I spoke of my love for him, his smile, his love of a good joke and most of all his love of his family and the dynasty an only child from a broken home built.

My Grandfather was the patriarch of a family who adored him without question and who miss him everyday. So today, one year later, I'd like to share my Grandpa with you!


Bart Bestor
August 15, 1921-May 26, 2007