My Grandpa, Peter Verkley, has passed away
He had been sick for so long.
I'm sad that Hadley, or any of her future siblings or cousins, won't be able to know Grandma and Grandpa Verkley. They were such an inspiration. They were such a team. It is hard to think about one without the other. If you were welcomed by a hug from Grandma as you came in the door, you knew Grandpa was right next to her with his own tight and loving hug. They would always think about each other, look out for each other, dance together, play music together, and care for each other. That is just the way they were.
I can't imagine living in Grandpa's time or living his life. Growing up in Holland and then having his life threatened and forever changed by WWII. Moving to a new country where you don't speak the local language and then raising eleven kids. As long as I'd known him though he smiled. He took life as it came and never stopped learning and trying new things. As his children began to run the farm, he took up woodworking.
While Grandpa hasn't done woodworking in a while, it is still difficult to think that the numerous pieces we have is all there will ever be. He had particular knack for making common everyday things like coffee tables or kitchen tables or clocks, that had very uncommon designs. I'll be forever thankful that I have the coffee table he made with the map of Canada inlaid in the top. As Hadley grows up and makes forts under the same table I did as a child, I'll know she'll have that opportunity because of Grandpa's hard work.
I love my Grandpa. I'm so happy I had the opportunity to know him and spend time with him as a child, including all the time we spent sitting silently side by side in the P truck. I will forever miss him.
Comments
I'm not sure what to do about Nunavut. I don't want to draw a line on, but maybe I could tape a black paper line to the table during the geography lesson.