This is not a post I want to be writing. I’m not a writer, and at times like this I’m even less articulate than normal.
My grandfather passed away last night.
He put up a good fight, and at times we really thought he was going to pull through. He recovered so well from his first stroke, that was what we all expected to see again. This time was different. I don’t want to dwell on the fact that he lost that battle, but rather celebrate his life here on this blog. He wouldn’t want someone to write about him in a sad, mopey way. So I’m here to tell you about the great man he was.
Benjamin J. Fles
Thanksgiving 2008
My grandfather was an incredible man who lived an incredible life. If I wrote about all of the things he did, all of the places he saw, and all of the people who’s life he touched in his lifetime it would take pages and pages of words.
He was a great storyteller. His favorite topic, by far, was WWII. His job was planning out routes on the battlefield for his platoon. He even studied Shakespear at Stratford-upon-Avon during his time in Europe. He was an all American kid, so naturally he was a football star, too. When he returned home from war, he married my grandmother in a quaint ceremony with his brother as his best man and my grandmother’s sister as her matron of honor. (I’ll have to scan some of their wedding photos on my next trip.) My grandpa worked very hard to support and raise the family. He provided my grandmother, mom, and uncle a very comfortable living. They did a lot of traveling as a family, and every summer was spent at their cottage on Lake Michigan. He worked as the Executive Vice President for the company Northern Engineering before retiring. He retired once in 1985, but decided it wasn’t time yet. He retired for good in 1988.
He was the only grandfather my brother and I knew, and he was everything a grandfather should be. He loved us and spoiled us, but was stern with us when we needed it. He was a man of character and integrity, and man who was respected and relied upon. He was a friend to all who knew him. I miss him. He lived a full life. He truly lived life to the fullest; He had a wonderful marriage, raised two children, served his country, traveled the world, loved his grandchildren, befriended many, lived successfully, and loved the Lord. I know that while he layed there in that hospital bed, he had no regrets. I hope that we’re all so lucky.
Thank you to everyone who have prayed for him and our family. My grandmother is doing well, considering, and your prayers of comfort and peace truly help.
I recently saw a video from another photographer, Zack Arias, about what really matters in life. One line really stuck with me- I’m paraphrasing, but he said “At the end of our lives, are we really going to be thinking about shutter speeds?” Of course not. We all know that the people we love are what really matter. So why don’t most people put their time and energy into those relationships? I’m so thankful I knew my grandfather so well and spent so much with him (and my grandmother) throughout my life. I’m thankful I have a great relationship with my parents and my brother. I’m thankful my husband is my very best friend. I’m thankful that I have a career that lets me spend my time with friends and family, and then working- not the other way around… I want to close by saying go tell your husband or wife you love them. Call your parents, call your grandparents. Call a friend you haven’t seen in years for no reason. In the end nothing else matters.
Thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings.
I will be out of the office until Tuesday, March 24th. Thank you for your patience.
