Wow, some things in life occur suddenly. Although I made this decision before I decided I was interested in going to Australia for a year, it’s weird to think I am going home right now for my Grandfather’s funeral. When my mother called 19 hours ago, when it was 4am back in Minnesota, I knew the news wasn’t going to be pleasant. Basically, she said, “Grandpa passed away”.  I knew what she was after, I responded, “I’m booking flights now”. “Grandma and Dad will be happy to hear,” in tears the conversation was done, I had to hit the road, to make the first flight.

Grandpa Mergen was ill with too many cancers and in too much pain for too long, really this is a happy time for our Mergen family, as we can now see him at ease and know he is now switching rolls and caring for us. My Grandpa was everything to us grandchildren, the one driving the rock-picking wagon, the one mowing Farming’s baseball field, the one that we raced for to give the first ‘high-five’ and hug each time we saw him, and the one that called everyone, “Buckwheat!” lol. I knew long ago I would make the services, just didn’t know when the time was going to be.