Love you, forever.

I've been avoiding this topic for the past couple of weeks. I simply have no words. I've been filled with lots of emotions- sadness, thankfulness, reminiscence, peace, happiness, anger, hopefulness, and more. In my heart I know it was his time, which gives a peace, but it still hurts. It wasn't unexpected; in the last few days we shared many "I love you's", spent hours holding hands, and in the very end exchanged smiles and eye contact that expressed feelings that words could never serve justice. He died peacefully, which is the way we all wanted it to be. He was witty, smart, funny, caring and has a family who all admires him. He had 89 wonderful years of love, laughter, family and friends, and enjoyed life to the fullest-- that's something to celebrate! The day before he died, January 31st, was the 70th anniversary of my Grandmom and Grandpop's first date. Wow, what a love story! As she was lying in bed Sunday night I snuggled up behind her and said, "Just think, 70 years ago tonight you had no idea what was in store for you the next day." She responded, "Yeah, or the rest of my life." I believe there's a Heaven. How can people not? He's restored. He's perfect. He's with his little Linda, whom he waited so many years to hold once more. He's happy and free.

I could go on and on, but I won't. He knew that I love him with all of my heart and I know that he loved me, after all, I was "his little sweetheart". I'm so lucky and so proud to have had him in my life. I owe so many "thank you's" to him for so many things... and one last thank you. I received the best and most priceless gift from him this past Saturday- his Eeyore. He always loved Eeyore, so I gave it to him when I was younger to keep him company when he had back surgery. Since then it's always been by his bed. On the underside of the little tag it reads, "I love Melissa. (heart) GP". I'm sure he wrote it years ago knowing this day would come. However, I'm also sure he never knew how much it would mean to me.

Grandpop, I will love you forever. xoxo



"A Parable of Immortality" by Henry van Dyke
I am standing by the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sun and sky come down to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says, 'There she goes! Gone where? Gone from my sight - that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the places of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, 'There she goes!', there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: 'Here she comes!'

Charles P.W. Crowell Jr. of Tulsa, formerly of Brielle, N.J., passed away peacefully at home on February 1, 2011, surrounded by his family. Charles “Chuck” was born on July 8, 1921, in Upper Montclair, N.J. He was graduated in the class of ‘43 from Wesleyan University in Connecticut. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force serving in WWII and the Korean War. He was a 32nd degree Mason. Chuck retired from Warren Petroleum/Gulf Oil after 30 years. In his retirement he enjoyed golf and spending time at the Jersey shore with his family. He was the beloved husband, for 63 years, of Madeline Aldrin. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son Dr. Charles P.W. Crowell III and his wife, Jeannie, of Fairfax, OK and three daughters, Elizabeth Brandon and her husband, Greg, of Tulsa, Cathy Anello and her husband Beau of Tulsa, and Lori Hebenstreit and her husband Steve of Croydon, PA. He was preceded in death by his daughter Linda Crowell in 1963. He was the loving grandfather of 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of his Life to be held at Asbury United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 12, at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.