An Old Western Movie

My grandpa Wardie has been in the Hickory Creek nursing home in Winamac for about 8 years now.  I didn't know him growing up, but when he moved back to Indiana to stay at the nursing home, I began visiting him.  When I'd walk into his room, he'd pop up real fast and say, "I'll be damned!"  Then he would turn the volume down on his TV which always played an old black and white western movie.  He'd say (to anyone who would listen or he could flag down in the hallway), "This here is my oldest boy's daughter.  She isn't quite as mean as him though.  She takes after her mother!"  Then he would ask me questions about my parents, brothers, grandparents...He wanted to know about everyone.  He would always ask me the same question last, "How's Lois?" I'd tell him she was doing fine, and he would say, "That woman is meaner than a rattlesnake!  Do you know she once beat me while I was sleeping with a cast iron skillet?"  To this, I would always say, "You pry deserved it, grandpa!" and he would say, "Yeah, I probably did..." 

Then, my grandpa would say, "I reckon we better go out and have a smoke." I would tell him I don't smoke, and he would say, "Well, I reckon I better smoke two then for the both of us!"  So, I'd wheel him outside for a cigarette and he would complain about every nurse in the place.  "Those witches bring me cold coffee!" or "The wardens have been stealing my cigarettes!"  I'd agree with him about the place being completely unfit to live in.  "Well, I got me a couple girlfriends at least.  Can't get them to leave me alone.  Old horny rascals in here, let me tell you!"  Then I'd tease him about being a ladies man.  After going back inside, a nurse would come to bring him coffee. "Oh boy, that's hot!" he'd say.  I'd tell him that nurse must have the hots for him. "I reckon she pry does."  And then, he would begin asking me about everyone all over again.

My grandpa had a stroke a few nights ago and was sent to the hospital.  Exams showed his body was gradually beginning to shut down.  We decided to move him back to the nursing home where he would be more comfortable.  This morning, we all took turns going in to see him.  I'm not good with words, so I kept stalling.  Then, my cousin came out and told me to go in.  I said I would later, but everyone looked at me weird.  The peer pressure got to me, so I went in.  I stood there for a few moments unsure of what to say.  Finally, I bent down and said, "Hey grandpa, it's me, Elizabeth, Tinker's daughter."  He opened his eyes and cried, I patted him to calm him down, and then left the room.  I've never been any good with emotional stuff either.  About 1 minute after I left the room, my grandpa Wardie passed away.  Then I cried, too.

So, I would like to dedicate this song to my grandpa Wardie and to my grandma Mary (whose birthday is on the 29th of this month).