Grandpa Gallagher

It's been awhile since I posted. Preoccupied with the wedding, I suppose. I've been meaning for awhile to write about a dream I had of Abba on Nov 4, where I woke up with my arms around my self, crying.

In my dream, I was at a home with stairs going up and pictures along the wall of family. Near the foot of the stairs was a place to sit and grandpa Gallagher and my dad was there. I think my dad was trying to talk to my grandpa but didn't get a response. I went up to my dad, feeling curious about him being there because I knew he was dead. And then knowing I wouldn't get the chance again, I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him and hugged him. And it felt so real. I missed him so much and to get to hug him again felt so good. And I started crying in real life and my tears woke me. I felt like I had gotten a visit.

Now I'm wondering if the dream may have meant something more about grandpa. He died last night in his sleep around 4 am.

Yesterday Mike, Nate and I went to visit grandpa Gallagher with pictures of the wedding. We spent hours there as I sat on his bed holding his hand and describing the pictures we brought, hoping he could picture it in his mind. He was not responding much at all, except for a hand squeeze or an occasional eyebrow raised when I mentioned my name or my grandmother's name. I also described my childhood memories of him and held him and and prayed for him. I told him I loved him, that it was "ok" and thanked him for being a good grandpa to me.

I left his room last night, knowing I would never see him again and woke up this morning to a phone call from my brother Bill. He is with my granny now. He lived 8 years without her and missed her terribly. I hope he and my dad are finally getting along. I like to think there is a reunion of loved ones, welcoming you home to them. Maybe the dream was of my dad coming to greet him.

I am grateful it happened after my wedding. That the timing allowed my family to have a week to be together for both Christmas and the wedding, to celebrate each other, life and joy. And I'm also really grateful that I had a chance to say goodbye.

Sara