Saturday, November 21, 2020
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From the children of Debbora Jo Heinze, and (in absentia) our Dad and Mom: we loved you, Grandpa. All pf us and all of our kids wish that we could have seen you before you passed. I just woke up from a dream about Mom and Aunt Donna, where we were all at Kennywood and both of them were happy and light-hearted again, talking about how much they loved you and Grandma. As we did, and do. :(
I'm sorry I never got a chance to tell you, in real life. You could be a little intimidating, when we'd come there for Christmas or whatnot. But...do you remember my 10th birthday? When ALL that I wanted was a girl's bicycle, but Mom and Dad couldn't afford it? I remember...YOU made me one. You took a boy's bike apart, painted the frame purple and peach-pink, put a basket with a daisy on it on the front and sparkly streamers on the handlebars. Then you fixed everything, oiled it well, wiped it down...and gave it to one VERY shocked little 10-year old girl, who thought you both were a miracle from God. And then I got that boil on my arm from splinter, and you and Grandma came to our house and fixed it, because Mom.was scared to touch it. I remember...Grandma used a beer bottle with smoke blown up inside and pressed the opening of the bottleneck down hard, until the cooling smoke created a partial vacuum, which popped it. Then after squeezing the infection out, YOU poured whiskey on it to disinfect it, patted my arm dry, and put a BandAid on it. lol.
We all have so many good memories of you. You giving Bub that fantastic .22 rifle for HIS 10th birthday; you sneaking whiskey to me, Lora, Eddie, and Bub at Christmas, LOL. Your visits to Dad, when you'd come to our house and do that trick with the quarter, or the one where you "stole" our noses (!!) and held them in your hand, between your fingers.
Maybe you weren't my Grandpa by blood--but who cares?? You raised my Mom, and you were the only Grandpa I ever knew, because Grandpa Johnson died too soon, and Grandpa Heinze did too. It was always, and only, you.
Wherever you are now, I love you. I wish I could have been there at your funeral, like I was with Aunt Donna. Lots of things have changed, without explanation, and maybe I'll *never* know. But I know this much--my Mom was like me. The biological child of a man who didn't want her. So like my Dad? YOU stepped into his place, and you took care of my Mom and my Grandma for all your known life. You were there for Mom, visiting her regularly (just like I did, except I was also there to clean her house, do some laundry, and cook a few meals that she could easily reheat in the oven. Sigh.) I remember Mom telling me, with tears in her eyes, that the two of you had reconciled any differences that you ever had. That meant the WORLD to her. You gave her peace before she passed away. Thank you so much...
I loved you. I still love my Grandma. Brendan, my son, sends love and hugs to both of you. I hope that I can find your grave, and leave you some flowers.
I love you forever. Got your nose. *tears* Rest peacefully, Grandpa.
Brandy, Bub, Alicia, and all of our assorted spouses and children.