It is with a very heavy heart I must announce the passing of my beloved grandfather.
Seymour Walter, otherwise known as, Poppa Sye.
I have so many wonderful memories of him and the times we shared together. Whether it was spending the summers with him and Manga in Florida, or getting to be there for him every single day, for the last three years in a row.
And I will cherish those moments, forever.
Like how he used to say:
“One bright day, in the middle of the night,
Two dead boys got up to fight.
Back to back; they faced each other.
Drew their swords and shot each other.
A deaf policeman heard the noise
came and shot those two dead boys.
A blind reporter saw it all,
And wrote the news upon the wall.”
AND
“I used to be behind before. But now, I’m first at last.”
——————-
*As per ‘Family Tradition’ I’d like to share the following story:
The Waterbug Story
Down below the surface of a quiet pond lived a little colony of waterbugs. They were a happy colony, living far away from the sun. For many months they were very busy, scurrying over the soft mud on the bottom of the pond. They did notice that every once in a while one of their colony seemed to lose interest in going about with its friends. Clinging to the stem of a pond lily, it gradually moved out of sight and was seen no more.
“Look!” said one of the waterbugs to another, one of our colony is climbing up the lily stalk. Where do you think she’s going?” Up, up, up it slowly went. Even as they watched, the waterbug disappeared from sight. It’s friends waited and waited but it didn’t return. “That’s funny!” said one waterbug to another,”Wasn’t she happy here?” asked a second, “Where do you suppose she went?” wondered a third.
No one had an answer. They were greatly puzzled. Finally one of the waterbugs gathered its friends together. “I have an idea. The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk must promise to come back and tell us where he or she went and why.” “We promise,” they said solemnly.
One spring day not long after the very waterbug who had suggested the plan, found himself climbing up the lily stalk. Up, up, up he went. Before he knew what was happening, he had broken through the surface of the water and had fallen into the broad and free lily pad above. When he awoke, he looked about with surprise. He couldn’t believe what he saw. A startling change had come over his old body. His movement revealed four silver wings and a long tail. Even as he struggled, he felt an impulse to move his wings. The warmth of the sun soon dried the moisture from his new body. He moved his wings again and suddenly found himself above the water. He became a dragonfly.
Swooping and dipping in great curves, he flew through the air. He felt exhilarated in the new atmosphere. By and by the new dragonfly landed happily on a lily pad to rest. That was when he chanced to look below to the bottom of the pond. Why, he was right above his old friends, the waterbugs! There they were scurrying around, just as he had been doing sometime before.
Then the dragonfly remembered the promise. Without thinking, the dragonfly darted down. Suddenly he hit the surface of the water and bounced away. Now that he was a dragonfly, he could no longer go into the water…. “I can’t return” he said in dismay. “At least I tried. But I can’t keep my promise. Even if I could go back, not one of the water bugs would know me in my new body. I guess I’ll just have to wait until they become dragonflies too. Then they’ll understand what has happened to me, and where I went.” And the dragonfly winged off happily into a wonderful new world of sun and air.
Poppa Sye became a dragonfly on December 12, 2011 at 10:40am and I’m so glad. Because now he can soar as high as he wants to, along with his wife Dorothy and still watch us through the pond which separates us. I feel a great peace in knowing that one day we’ll be together on the same lily pad, soaking up the warm rays of the sun.
*Most of you have come to know, and love my Poppa Sye, simply through this blog. You’ve seen his photos and you’ve read his stories. He was an extraordinary man. I am blessed to have had him in my life. I will never forget the life lessons he taught me.
I would like to believe he’s in heaven, dancing once again, with his only True Love.
The following Video Tribute is how I will always remember him….
PS: These are my favorite Poppa Sye blog posts:
Random Acts Of Kindness
My Grandmother Manga, And A True Love Story
Why I’m Definitely Going To “Burn In Hell” – For All Of Eternity
Hurricane Irene and Poppa Sye
—————
I will miss you, Poppa Sye.
I love you.
I’m so sorry for your loss Meleah. We all loved Poppa Sye in our own way, because of the way you wrote about him.
Thank you for sharing Poppa Sye with us. You and your family are in my thoughts. Hugs.
So sorry for your loss. I’m very honored to have gotten the chance to “know” Poppa Sye through your writing. Peace and good wishes for your family.
Oh, sweetie what a beautiful tribute and sending you a hug through the virtual world. Your writing endeared us to your grandfather and we know you are feeling so much pain right now. Lean on us.
Wow…what a great tribute, Meleah, to him. Agree with Roshan: glad that you were and are able to share him with all of us (yes, wiping away tears right now, thanks a lot :)).
Meleah, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for bringing him into our lives through your stories. I’m glad you have those wonderful memories of him. Hugs!
Thank you, Roshan. He was such an amazing man.
xoxo xoxo xoxo
Thank you, Tracy.
Meleah, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Poppa Sye. I feel as though I lost one of my own relatives in knowing him through your blog. I feel very sad.
It’s ironic, because I was thinking about you all last week and wondering how Poppa Sye was doing; sending him lots of LOVE.
Beautiful video tribute, Meleah. That last part brought tears to my eyes.
Sending much love to you and your family.
(((((( You and your family ))))))
I love ya, dear friend!
X
Sorry for making you cry, Bryan. Thank you for watching his tribute movie.
I was very lucky to have him in my life for as long as I did. It’s going to take a while for me to get used to him NOT being around. I saw him ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, for the past THREE YEARS. *sigh*
I love the ending.
“Who ever you are, and where ever you are, I had a good time….”
Thank you, Ron.
You’re a wonderful friend, my Libra twin.
xoxoxo
You too, my wonderful Libra twin!
(((( Meleah ))))
X
We all loved Papa Sye, he was a pretty cool dude, and he will be missed.
I’m hugging you super hard right now.
Thank you, Madge. I need as many hugs as I can get today.
Sending you and your family my heart felt sympathies, and healing thoughts, in your time if loss. It was a privilege to get to know him through your stories. I know you have many wonderful memories of Poppa Sye in your hearts, and they will help to ease the pain, in time. And yes, your mom, and Poppa Sye, will be proud of your tribute.
Thank you, Jim.
Making that video tribute was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done.
I am blessed to have you in my life.
Thank you for constantly checking on me via email/texts/facebook.
You have been a HUGE source of support.
And I am eternally grateful.
I am going to take you up on that offer, Lucy. xoxo
Good Bye Sye ! Even if you did not understand all that your grand-daughter was doing, It was an honour, of you coming into my life no matter for how short the time.
awwwwwwwwwwwwww. Thank you, Jaffer.
My thoughts are with you and your family. After reading about about what a wonderful man Poppa Sye was, I know heaven has a new angel!
My condolences upon the passing of a dear family member. He will live on in people’s memories, and, thanks to you, there are more of us out there to remember him (through you) than before. Speaking from personal experiences, I can tell you that the pain never goes away, but it does get easier to handle with time.
Best wishes to you and your family and a (tentative) hug to you.
BobG
Oh Meleah. I am so sorry. Please send along my sympathies to your family and know that I am thinking of you and sending you lots of love during this sad time. ((((Hugs))))
I am truly sorry for your loss. You’ve allowed us to know your family so well, through your blog, that it’s a loss for us too.
I never had any grandparents so I can only imagine what a special kind of love and relationship that would be.
What a beautiful video!
I am thinking of you and sending love to you all.
And you got me again…
I can barely see what I’m typing through these tears. I know he was a great man, because you told me so. Fly high, Poppa Sye!
Indeed.
Thank you, BobG. It is definitely going to take some time to adjust to losing him. I keep thinking I am going to see him in the hallway, or hear the clicking of his cane.
Thank you Babs. I wasn’t sure if I would EVER be able to get through editing that video through my tears.
xoxo xoxo xoxo
Thank you, Diane. I already miss him so much.
I am glad I was in the room with him when he took his last breath and he died with a smile on his face.
Thank you my sweet friend, Nicky.
His last comment did it for me.
Meleah, Thanks to your lovely blog and all the things you’ve shared in your unique way, I feel (as do so many others) like I knew Poppa Sye. And loved him! He was obviously a very special man, and I know you have many, many wonderful memories. I’m very sorry for your loss and am thinking of you and your family. XOXOXO
I’m so very sorry, Meleah, I’m keeping you and your family in my thoughts. *hugs*
Me too, Babs.
I couldn’t believe I even HAD THAT and ON VIDEO.
Thank you SO MUCH, Julia.
Thank you, Ziva.
xoxo
Thanks for sharing Meleah. Heartfelt transition in life…
Oh, I’m so sorry for the loss of your grandfather. He looks like he was a dashing and handsome man and dare I say it looks like you have his eyes. You’ve honored his life with your words and your caretaking. Take care of yourself and your loved ones. Cherish the memories. xoxo
You have my sympathies meleah.
I got to know Poppa Sye a little through your writing. The loss is mine for never having met him.
Indeed.
Thank you, Rog.
Thank you, sweetie.
I’m trying!
Awwww.
Thank you.
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing Miss Meleah! xoxoxo
“Most of you have come to know, and love my Poppa Sye, simply through
this blog. You’ve seen his photos and you’ve read his stories. He was an
extraordinary man.”
You are 100% correct. Your stories made him feel like a bonus grandfather to me and I feel honored that you shared his life with us. Thank you.
You’re very welcome, Nadine.
xoxoxoxo
I LOVE YOU MO!
Meleah, I am so sorry. I got so caught up in my own drama, I didn’t even look on FB for the last couple of days. I really wish I was closer. That dear dear man! He lived an awesome life and he was a force right up to the end. I know he’s good now. I pray you and your families hearts will heal. My deepest sympathy to all of you.
I bet! That was his last farewell – Priceless x