For all of you who don't know today would have been my dad, Jerry Melvin Grieve, birthday. He would have been 66 yrs old. He passed away 2 yrs ago from cancer which he had been fighting for almost 11 yrs. Jerry was my stepdad since I was 9 but he always treated me like I was his daughter. I must admit it took me a while accept him but once I did I realized how much I loved him. He was always there for me. Whenever I needed anything he was there. He may not have always been the nicest man but he loved me more than my real dad ever did. I name my youngest son Matthew after him. In June of 2004 the doctors told him they could no longer do anything for him and they told him the best thing he could do was go on hospice. He tried so hard to make us and I think himself that he was going to make it. He use to call me on the phone and tell me to come over because he had gotten out of his bed and wanted me to see him. He was so proud that even though he was sick he was still able to get out of bed. I remember the last of days and having to say goodbye to him. It was so very hard to say goodbye to someone that you loved so much and didn't want them to leave you. He was in so much pain and I think that was the hardest thing of all because no matter how much we wanted to help him we couldn't. He died on a Wednesday. I remember I was at home. I was with him and the preacher all day and I needed to get home to take care of the boys. I had just walked in the front door and sat on the sofa when the phone rang and my sister was on the other end telling me something was wrong and I needed to get there right away. I told my sister to give like half hour because I needed to feed the boys. Not even five minutes later she called back and said he was gone. I didn't really know what to do at that point. I didn't scream and I didn't cry. I told my husband we had to go and to get in the van. I was very calm I guess I was in shock. We pulled into the drive, I got out, walked passed all of the family that was there, and went to my dad. My mom was sitting there strocking his head telling him it was all better now. When I looked at him and seen there was no life in his eyes that's when the screaming and the crying happened. For 4 months I watched the man who had raised me, cared for me, and love me die. I will never forget the pain that I felt knowing that everytime I went to see my mom that I was only going to see her. For a long time I took my dad granted and now I just live with the regret of that. He was just a good man and forever he will live in my memories and my heart. I love you, Dad....
