My personal thank you!

[SeptemberDay]

Hi guys,

Please forgive the cross-post but I really wanted to thank everyone at VOICE 2008 who offered support and hugs when I found out my grandfather passed on the first day of the conference. It was so hard to be on the opposite side of the country away from my family at that time but I was completely surrounded by my VO family in Los Angeles and your warmth and caring made an impossible time a little bit easier. I left the conference right before the celebrity banquet and got home at 4:30AM. The service was lovely and he was granted a full military burial for serving 3 tours in World War II. I was reminded during the service that my grandfather had only completed 5th grade before he had to drop out to help in the fields of the family sharecropping farm. When he returned from the war, he married his wife of 60 years, my grandmother, and began working as a janitor at International Paper. He retired after 4 decades... as a senior vice president. My grandfather was a war hero, being asked by General MacArthur himself to be present at the surrender of the Japanese; but more importantly, he was my hero. He was always there to tend to the scraped knees of a little girl who just had to see how far up she could climb the biggest tree in the backyard, to kiss the cheeks of the adolescent girl who just knew her life was over because she had a pimple, and to cheer on the young woman who had lofty dreams of becoming successful in an industry that eats dreams for breakfast. A man of simple taste and simple pleasures, even his name, John, was unassuming, but he was an incredible man, an amazing inspiration, and a lovely, loving grandfather. I miss him so much, but it is a comfort to know my biggest cheerleader is happy and whole again, able to offer love and support from the other side. I love you, Grandad.

-September

[JoeActor]

Oh, Ember - that's beautiful - he sounded like a wonderfully caring man.

I'm sorry I didn't get to give you a big hug before you left.

Please accept my condolences for you and your family,
Joe

p.s. it was a treat to meet you at the conference - hope to have a chance to chat more if you move out this way...

[Diane Havens]

Ember --

You must have a fine family, as evidenced by the kind, caring person you are. All that and talent too. Such a pleasure to have had time to spend in LA with you.

My thoughts and prayers for you and your family,

[jsgilbert]

September,
My condolences to you. I had the gift of caring for mother-in-law at thome the last year or so of her life. It was a priveledge and an honor and in life she was one of my closest friends, more of a mother to me than a mother-in-law. It has been 2 years sice she passed and my wife an I always think about her and how we all touched each other.

One thing I have done is some journaling regarding her so that I don't forget some of the stories and little things that made her special. I also have made notes from stories and remembrances of other family members. You might want to consider doing something similar and then when you need the real strong presence of your granfather you can just read back some of your writing.

[Jodi Krangle]

I'm so sorry for your loss, September. I don't know you personally (though judging from the people I do know that speak very highly of you, I wish I did.) - so I'll just say that your grandfather sounds like a really special person who touched a lot of lives. I'm sure he'd be touched by your tribute to him. And if it's alright, I'll send some virtual hugs.

Take care, ok?

[shenecke]

It's sad to hear of your loss, but cherish the time you had with him. All of my grandparents were gone when I was very young. I would give anything to have had some adult time with them to learn of their lives and soak up some of their knowledge and wisdom. He sounds like he was a very special man.

[Scott Pollak]

'Ember... I just now found this thread and like everyone else I send you my thoughts, prayers and wishes. You are so fortunate to have been so blessed with such an incredible relationship.

I'm usually envious of those who have such close relationships with their grandparents. My dad's parents both died before I was born, so I never knew them. My mom's dad passed away when I was 6 so I barely knew him, so the only grandparent I really got to know was my mom's mom, a delightful little old lately who almost outlived all of us til she died at 103.

You will carry your grandfather's memories and influences with you for the rest of your life and you will do him proud. God bless you, him, and your family.

[Heather C]

September,

I am so very sorry for your loss! I am sure it was very hard to hear such heart breaking news while you were out of town. I am glad that you had so many wonderful supportive people around you at the time. Your Grandfather sounds like a great man, that lived a very full life! You are truly blessed to have had such a wonderful relationship with him. I know your memories and the time you spent together will always keep him in your heart. You will be in my thoughts and prayers!

[Julie Williams]

Hi Ember,
I hope you are doing better now. I know it was so hard for you to be in L.A. when that happened. I am glad we could be your family. You are such a treasure and I loved the little bit of time we had together... I'm going to have to go to Atlanta to visit mysister...just so I can see you again, OR wait till you move to L.A.!!!! You've got it goin' on in VO Girl! I'm SURE your granddad is so proud of you! We who know you are! Especially those of us who got to share wine and chocolate with you in Los Angeles!

I'm here for you if you need anything... and I KNOW that manymanymany many people on the forum echo those sentiments! Just say the word!

Julie

[spartacus]

God Bless you and your family September ......