After my grandfather's last stroke that put him in the hospital, he made the decision to sign a DNR. He decided no more tests, no more procedures, no more medications. He made the decision to refuse a feeding tube, which meant that he could no longer eat and only have a few sips of water. He made the decision that this would be the end of his life on earth.

When these decisions were being made, Papa asked my mom How much longer will it be? She quietly answered, I don't know, Daddy, it depends on your body. He only said Well, this is a stubborn body!

That was nine days ago. Papa passed away today. To say he was stubborn is putting it mildly.

This is my favorite photograph of Papa:

I never knew him to be much of a drinker, but here he was on vacation in Acapulco. Hello Mini Bar!

Papa believed in hard work, enjoying vacations, and spoiling his seven granddaughters with sugar and Shetland ponies.

When I was little running around his farm having fun, I bent down to pick up a rope in the yard. Before I knew what was happening, Papa flew over with a shovel and killed my rope in one swing. Turns out, the rope was a snake. He was my Super Man.

This, by the way, is my favorite photograph of my grandmother during the same Acapulco trip. We don't know who the man is with her- random Mexican citizen??

She passed away when I was only 12. She believed in beautiful clothes, always wearing lipstick and letting her granddaughters use real eggs to make mud pies.

They are both loved and missed very much.