stage 4

Stage 4, they say. What does that even mean? I mean, yes, it has medical meaning, but to a family, what does that really mean? No hope? 6 months? A year?

This is the news the doctor gave my grandpa and our family earlier this week.

My grandpa is a quiet man, tall, thin, and dark complected. He mumbles when he talks. He likes to hunt. He's still madly in love with my grandma -- still pinching her rear in the kitchen. He's a family man and hard working. He loves reminiscing about the time I stayed with him and my grandma up north and helped him rake the leaves (their yard is HUGE). I was 6 years old, I think. He loves that story.

He is humble, kind, and a dedicated father, husband, grandpa, brother, son, cousin, and friend. He would help anyone in need. When I was in college, I probably called him at least half a dozen times with car troubles. He can fix anything. He always came to the rescue. I was a toddler, when he drove me to the hospital after a brick fell on my toe. In grade school, he picked me up and rushed me inside when I fell (going up the cement stairs on their front porch), wiped away my tears and made me laugh, as grandma bandaged me up . He has always had a way of calming me down. His love and compassion is quiet, like him.

He drove 45 minutes to an hour (one way) each day to work just to provide for his family. They live in Michigan. Through ice, snow and rain, he drove his little pick-up truck back and forth. He plowed gardens and shoveled horse manure as side jobs to earn extra money.

He told me that before he proposed to my grandma, he told her father "I will make sure she never has to work. I will take care of her and provide for her." My grandma used to pack his lunches and had dinner on the table for him when he got home every day. I have always admired them and aspired to find a man like my grandpa. He doesn't boast. His pride is silent. I've never heard him yell or seen him shed a tear. He is strong, confident, and good.

The doctor "gives" him a year. It isn't long, but I am going to make the most of the time God has given us with my grandpa. I am going to try my hardest to be strong for him. Chemo and radiation are his plans to fight. He's not one to simply throw in the towel when the going gets tough. He's my hero.

Fried chicken, homemade noodles, mashed potatoes and gravy. This is what my grandpa has requested for our family Christmas eve dinner this year. It was his family's tradition growing up.

It's the little things we are all learning to look forward to and enjoy, because of stage 4.