Im back.....

[MarauderMarc]

Well its been one hell of a week. As you all may remember my Grandpa passed away a week ago. I grew up 2 blocks from him and was the only grandchild until I was 9. My father was a single father and I was an only child. So my grandparents raised me as much as my father had. This is the first death in my immediate family I have experienced. It was a hard week. Nothing else really semmed important. Not even my newly supercharged marauder. So I spent the week in SLC and buried my Grandpa. Death is a very hard thing to go through. I have never cried so much in my entire life. It does, though, make you realize the important things in life. I just wish I thought this way when I was a punk growing up. All the things Id have done different. But I guess it will only make me wiser and stronger for the furure. My sympathies to all that have lost a close loved one. My respect for moving on and overcoming the pain. Im still at the beginning of that long road.

On a lighter side, My Grandfather left me his pride and joy. His 1977 Dodge Royal Monaco with 60K original miles. Always garaged. It is green, with a white vinyl top, and white leather interior. Needs a little chrome restoring, but is in perfect condition. Im going to completely restore it, keep it, and drive it on Sundays. Anyone know of good restorers?

Well its good to be home. Thanks to all that showed support. Ill start working on a thread about my Procharger install and all the pics and such.

[Bradley G]

thanks for sharing your story Marc.
You are very lucky to have shared the good times.
Just keep in mind, how he would want you to enjoy his car, and remember all he meant to you.

[DEFYANT]

Sorry for your loss. I can relate to you on this level.

My single biggest regret of moving from NY to MD is the distance between my 87 & 89 yrs old Grandparents and I.

Hang in there bud.

[Black_Noise]

good luck with the new car....

keep your chin up!!

[rayjay]

Glad to hear you are on the mend. Time heals all wounds like this. Cherish your memories and don't dwell on the should've - could've's.

[JMan]

Marc,
Welcome back! Each day will be a little easier as time heals all wounds. I'm greatly sorry for your loss. The sooner you get back into the swing of things the better off you'll be.

Best of luck with your old car (MM) and your new car (Monaco). Can't wait to get the 411 on the Procharger install. I know a Mopar restorer in Largo that's prime-time, but there's got to be someone closer to you down there.

Best of luck again,

J

[jimlam56]

Marc, every time you look at, work on , or drive the Dodge, you will be reminded of your Grandfather. He left you something that was an extention of himself, so keep it forever!
Jim

[juno]

Welcome back Marc and my deepest condolences for your loss.

Yes, life forces you to move on, but you do not have to forget.

[bryanthomas]

I'm sure you've learned a lot from this situation; life lessons that you will take with you.

It was nice of your grandfather to leave you an automobile he obviously cared a great deal about. I can't wait to see some pics of it.

Ya know, this is another reason I like MM.net, the maturity level here is great compared to other auto forums I've been on. Everyone really makes an effort to reach out and help one another in times of need.

Hang in there man!

[KillJoy]

Sorry for you loss. Good to have you back.

KillJoy

[magindat]

Marc,
Glad to hear yer back. Sorry for your loss. Been there, done that, know how ya feel. Remind me to show ya somethin Friday. Might make ya feel better.

Lighter note: let's get them pics up and start talking about that weekend. We made a major accomplishment and we should all be proud!

See ya Friday. Call anytime.

Rich

[StevenJ]

Well my mother's parents died when I was a child and my father's father died six years ago so yeah I know what you mean. I didn't end up taking it quiet as hard as you seem to be but I grew up in a two parent household so it was different. But still none the less, sorry about your loss. I can sympathesize with that. I took it pretty hard after my mom's mom left btw. She taught me a good bit about cooking and such and she lived within walking distance of me when I was a kid.

[pantheroc]

Marc,

You have my belated condolences. Your right about changing your outlook on important things in life.

Everyone....As dark as this comment may seem, it helps me with being a better person and hopefully benefit others reading. Take time when alone and envision a loved one not being there anymore. Even think about you not being there anymore and how those very close to you would go on.

It will not lessen the pain....but will help your outlook on life with them.

JK

[423REED]

MarauderMarc,
My sincere condolences go to you. I know how tough the loss of a loved one can be. I lost my mother a year ago this upcoming May 11th. I always was very close to my mom, but I never realized how deeply I really loved her until she passed away last year. This past year has been readlly tough for me. I too went through all the self blame, such as if only I had been with her more often. The hardest thing was that I called my mom every morning from work to check on her well being. As a result, I think about her every morning, and every time our phone rings. She used to call us three or five times a week. Now nobody calls me anymore.
*
What's pulled me through so far is my very understanding wife of 40 years, and especially my little grand daughter, Madison Elizabeth. She turns five next month. She's the sparkling star in my life, and she both needs and loves me very much. My mom also loved her very much. When we settled her little estate, I took most of my share of the remaining money and bought Maddie her first big girl bedroom set. I thought that my mom would have really wanted me to do that. You have to try to go on for the people in your life who are still alive. Whatever you wish you had done differently, you should try your best to be a better person for those remaining with you. Remember that they still need you very much!
*
Now I don't have any parents or grand parents left, and it makes me feel very lonely at times. But I'm going to make it because my wife, grand daughter, daughter and son all need me in their lives. And I love my 2004 Marauder (DTR).
Jim

[ctrlraven]

That's the sad part of life and family losing the ones you love so dear and make the big impacts in your life. I lost my grandfather back in 1998 and it was the first time in my life I had to deal with death which was so hard and because I felt responsible for not being there that evening when he asked me to be and I chose to be selfish and do what I wanted to do and then learned the news of his passing the next morning to the tears pouring out of my mother's eyes. Then I lost my grandmother to cancer back in 2004, she found out she had cancer right after I got out of high school in 1999 and for 2 years my mother and I tried to take care of her and things got better for awhile and then things went down the tube and she didnt want to keep fighting it anymore and refused her last chemo treatment and passed away about a month later. I feel your pain and heartache man but remember your Grandpa will always be with you in your heart and keeping an eye on your from up above. God Bless Grandparents for all the values they instilled in us, stories they shared with us and love they have given and shown to us! Remember to always tell the ones you love that you love them because you never know when the next time you will see them.