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July 18, 2009

Death, Take a Holiday

Filed under: Uncategorized — Chas @ 10:14 pm

I’m just a little tired of this.

I was out for the last couple days after my brother-in-law lost his wife after a 4-year battle with lymphoma. She lasted longer than any doctor expected, but in the end cancer wins as it usually does.

This afternoon my father calls to tell me that my grandmother has passed. She was a few months shy of her 91st year. Arguably, anyone passing at that age should not be considered a surprise. Yet with her it was. Still active and living on her own. Volunteering at the hospital, the library and putting together the Synagogue’s monthly newsletter.

When my grandfather passed earlier this year, it was a long battle that eventually took him and was something of a relief as he was no longer in the pain that had engulfed him. With my grandmother, it was a sudden heart attack that was complete and immediate.

The two had been divorced for almost 50 years, yet they both passed within six months of the other. As big an impact as my grandfather had on me, so too did my grandmother.

She loved baseball and football. As much as anyone, she taught me a good deal about football when I was young. She probably knew the game better than my grandfather, because she wasn’t focused just on the pro game. The college game was just as interesting to her. She was a fan of innovative thinking for offense. Bill Walsh was a coach she really liked, and was a fan of offenses like the spread that took advantage of the talent.

In 1999 I went to visit her around Rosh Hashanah. My parents couldn’t get back to be with her, so I went because it just didn’t seem right for her to be alone for the High Holy Days.

Selfishly, it wasn’t the easiest call since it meant skipping a road trip with friends for the Pitt-Penn State game in Happy Valley that same weekend. I didn’t mention it to her, and didn’t even mention the game. Resigning myself to maybe catching the second half. We were sitting in Shul, and around 11 am she leans whispers to me that we should leave in the next 15 minutes to get some lunch so we can be ready to watch the game by noon.

Didn’t miss a snap of that game.





Chas, as a cancer survivor I send my sincerest condolences for your lose. No one ever deserves to go through that whether your going through it personally or watching a loved one suffer through it. Stay strong my friend.

Comment by Nick 07.18.09 @ 10:36 pm

Sorry for the sad news Chas, It always seems like tragedies all strike at once….. I just lost my little brother(18) and mom(55) within the past few months certainly this sort of thing is never easy to deal with, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, hang in there.

Comment by Justin 07.18.09 @ 10:56 pm

Chas, my greatest sympathies. Others on this board will articulate more eloquent condolences than I am capable.

Comment by BigGuy 07.19.09 @ 12:08 am

Chas,
My prayers are for you and your family. My deepest sympathies.

Comment by Jason 07.19.09 @ 1:15 am

Chas, I am very sorry for your loss. It must be a very exhausting time and I can relate to it. Please be safe and know that my prayers go out to you and your family.

Comment by Panthoor 07.19.09 @ 1:56 am

You and your parents are in my thoughts, Chas. But, what a wonderful and long life to have lived.

Comment by Reed 07.19.09 @ 5:04 am

Chas, My sincerest condolences.

Note to you and others, my father passed away several years ago about the same time my mother was diagnosed with cancer. She originally beat it,but it reared its ugly head almost 20 years later. Her extended illness caused me to change plans many times, including missing sporting events, however in the end ….. I NEVER regretted any of it. I got much closer to her than since my youth and and now do not think any of it as being sacrifices, but instead blessings for the time spent with her.

One more thought …. she died on a Friday, the initial viewing was on a Sunday … allowing me to watch Pitt whoop Va Tech back in 01.

Comment by w bill 07.19.09 @ 6:57 am

My deepest sympathies Chas.

I’d also like to thank you for the work you put into Pitt Blather. On behalf of all Pitt fans, we really appreciate it!

Comment by Ross 07.19.09 @ 7:32 am

Ross says it all Chas. Shalom.

Comment by steve 07.19.09 @ 7:38 am

My deepest sympathies Chas

Comment by pitt_is_it 07.19.09 @ 8:32 am

Condolences, Chad.

Comment by Bryan 07.19.09 @ 10:41 am

My condolences to you and your family.

Comment by pidoublet 07.19.09 @ 10:45 am

Chas,

Your and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Our deepest sympathies for the losses you have endured this year.

Comment by maz. 07.19.09 @ 11:00 am

Chas may the Lord be close and give you and yours comfort in this time of loss.

Also He says that it is appointed for us to live 70 years and if strong enough 80. I always like to think of anything over 70 was the “Bonus Round” so to speak.

The Lord truly gave you the blessings of bonus time with both of your grandparents and a special blessing around Rosh Hashanah in 1991.

Comment by Kenny 07.19.09 @ 11:17 am

Best wishes to you and your family.

Comment by omar 07.19.09 @ 12:03 pm

Chas,

What can I say that hasn’t already been said. I visit this site daily, but rarely post. Just enjoy the reading. Seeing others on here daily as well I feel like we are a Pitt family, although I’ve never personally met any of you. My thoughts a prayers are with you and your family.

Comment by Scott 07.19.09 @ 3:19 pm

Dear Panther brother, Chas. A loved one’s passing diminishes us all. You and yours are in our prayers. Obviously, you have an extended family is us “Bloggers”. In times like these, families, intimate and extended are wonderful blessings. May our Sovereign bless you all. George from Columbus

Comment by rev. george mehaffey 07.19.09 @ 3:51 pm

Chas, I lost a family memeber a little over a year ago, and it still not easy to deal with. My prayers are with you and your family.

Comment by HbgFrank 07.19.09 @ 8:37 pm

Chas, my deepest condolences to you and your family. You write eloquently about your grandmother. May she rest in peace, and always be a source of inspiration to you. How lucky you are to have such memories.

Comment by Annie 07.19.09 @ 10:22 pm

Chas, I’ve never met you but I feel like I know you. My grandmother is almost 91 and still attends (with family help) almost every home game for both Pitt basketball and football. I’m lucky, as you were, to spend some great moments with her. Pitt Blather is the only blog I follow and I appreciate all the hard work you put into it. I join the rest of Panther Nation in mourning your loss.

Comment by Jeff 07.19.09 @ 11:21 pm

Words are hard to find at a time when you are trying to comfort someone that is going through difficult times. My thoughts and prayers are with you…..Hang on to the good memories. They will see you through.

Comment by Bill 07.21.09 @ 11:57 am

Chas, my deepest sympathies to you and your family. Cancer just took a good friend of mine. Find strength in your Panther family and march on.

Comment by Bossdaws 07.25.09 @ 6:46 pm

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