Goodbyes....We will Miss You Grandpa Bob

Above is a 4 Generation picture of My Mom, her Dad, Grandpa Bob Renkert, Caitlyn & I. Last year we were in Seattle with my Grandpa. He was in the hospital when we arrived. They didn't expect him to live and called the family in. Grandpa had not seen Caitlyn yet. I so wanted him to meet his Great Granddaughter. Chandler & Connor were praying at home. Needless to say, we arrived on Thursday and Grandpa went home on Saturday I believe. He told everyone it was his two Grandsons in North Carolina praying for him. Thankfully God gave him another year with us. And we are so grateful for that additional year. We were not always close to Grandpa when we were younger but the last 7 years or so we were able to have a relationship with him, he even came to NC several times. Where as before he had never really been anywhere outside of Washington state.


However on Wednesday we got a call the he was back in the hospital but not doing well. At first they said 1-6 months but Thursday, it was 2-3 days. Mom immediately made reservations to go say goodbye to her Daddy. She left at 6 am on Friday. I had radiation as usual and when I got out I called home to check on Caitlyn and while I was on the phone my Uncle Paul called to tell us Grandpa had passed. It was 10am our time but 7am in Washington. Mom was to land at 11am PST. Mom didn't make it in time to say GoodBye. She missed him by 3 hours. Just 3 hours. How often do we waste 3 hours watching TV, reading a book, driving etc. My heart broke for her. I can't even imagine not being able to say Goodbye to one of my parents. I cried out, "Why God??? Couldn't you let him hang on for just a few more hours?" Nothing. I mourn for the time we didn't get to spend with him because of distance & just life. I regret not calling him more and letting him know we loved him. Making more of an effort to visit. Probably all the things most people go thru when mourning. REGRETS!!!


Before he passed, Uncle Paul said the Chaplin was in praying and reading the Bible with him. As she walked away Grandpa Bob left this world peacefully. I pray he now knows the love, grace & peace that only God can give.


We are leaving for Washington on Wednesday and will come back home on Sunday. All of us Travis, Dustin, Yessie, Bella & myself are going. Shane will be home with the kids and working, Audra will be here to help him out with Caitlyn during the day and boys with their homework after school. I am so Thankful she will be able to help us out. Thank you so much Audra.


I know I have been really slack about updating my blog. Sorry. I have been really busy lately. Of course I have 3 kids, husband and a household to care for but I still am in Radiation and Mom and I are still helping our neighbor, Mrs. Linda, with redecorating her home. It has been fun and a good distraction for my mom. We have both really enjoyed doing it and helping her out. Mrs. Linda absolutely loves it. We have done the whole downstairs.


The boys are doing very well in school. Even Connor. LOL. He still cannot manage to get 5 green days in a row but he has not had even 1 red day this year. Thank you God. This year has been much more relaxed and easy going. Both teachers are awesome and work to help each child succeed. Neither one likes or sends home an abundance of homework. Yeah!!!! For all of us.


Bella is turning 1 tomorrow. They are having a costume party for her tomorrow afternoon. So it should be a lot of fun. The kids will love it. We are having Mexican food. Yummy!!!



I am feeling really good. I feel more normal lately than I have in a long time. I have not experienced any exhaustion from radiation at all. My skin is a little pink but nothing major. So that is awesome and a definite God thing. Who would have thought having Cancer could be this easy going. It is really crazy. But I am so thankful. I have been able to get a lot done around the house and such.



The fall weather has kicked in here in the Carolinas and I am LOVING it!!! It reminds me why I love it here. All the trees and leaves changing. It is absolutely gorgeous. If you have never seen a Carolina Fall you do not know what you are missing. The kids are outside most of the day now with the cooler weather. Especially over the weekends.


Good Night
Rachael



Please keep especially my mom but the whole Renkert Family in your prayers this week coming. His funeral is on Thursday at 11am. Thank you in advance.