4/2/08:

Kim St. Louis '08

On June 9, 2007, I lost my 83 year old grandfather to esophageal cancer.  My grandpa was a strong, hard working, tireless man.  Cancer whipped and beat him into a frail, weak, and submissive fragment of himself. 

From the initial diagnosis of cancer to his last dying days, he met with several surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.  He lost his appetite, his hair, and finally his dignity.  His love of life he surrendered to death. 

My grandpa had a 10th grade education but provided for the material needs of his family as a person with a PhD would do.  He said his mind was weak, but his back was strong and he could and would do anything to provide for his wife, children, and his grandchildren. 

It was amazing how he still kept his optimism, his sense of humor, and his faith during his struggle to survive.  I sat for several days at my grandpa’s bedside while his physical body succumbed to the disease.  Shortly before he died, my grandpa awoke from his coma, sat up, outstretched his arms and smiled.  We all know that he saw a glimpse of Jesus and a peak at heaven and decided it was time to surrender all and be with the Lord.  I know that God took that wore out, fragile body of my grandpa and restored him to the strong healthy man whose lap was big enough to hold 2 or 3 grandchildren at a time.  My grandpa was a man who taught me that education is often times obtained as a result of hard times and struggles.  He taught me that life should be lived to the fullest, and in weakness we become strong- but only with Jesus Christ at our side.  I know that my Grandpa Pultz has been filled with new life and vitality and is sitting next to Jesus in heaven smiling down at me now.  His rebirth revives my spirit and reawakens the meaning of life to me.