My wonderful Grandpa Watson lost his appetite and started losing weight at the start of the year. Initially, the doctors tested his heart to see if that was the cause of the weight loss, but nothing turned up. As they expanded their tests, they believed that Grandpa had Kidney Cancer. This was not the case.
After meeting with an oncologist, they were informed that Grandpa had a High Grade Non Differentiated Sarcoma. It is a cancer that is highly aggressive and is its own entity. It is not attached to the kidney. The entity had spread to his kidney, lymph nodes, and lungs, and it continued to rapidly spread through his body. He was diagnosed on September 2nd, and I flew out on the 4th to be able to spend time with him. They gave him about 60 days to live.
Grandpa was able to go to a Weber State Football game even though he was feeling pretty tired. He enjoyed most of the first half, but tired quickly. So they headed home just before half time.
Grandpa loved having visitors and I was able to interview him about his life every chance I got. He was always upbeat and has always had great stories to tell. He was an incredible man and set such a great example to me on how to live a righteous life. He talked a lot about God's influence in his life and that everything always happened for a reason, even when things got frustrating, there was always a reason behind all his trials. On October 6th, he passed away peacefully in his own bed, with family nearby. Gene's funeral was very well put together and very well attended. I was able to "attend" via Skype on my Dad's phone. All of his 5 children were able to speak. Those that did not know Grandpa knew him by the end of the program.
All 3 of the choirs that he was in came to sing at the funeral. Music meant so much to my grandpa, so it was so inspiring to see so many people that he had sung with come together to pay tribute to such a wonderful man.
I think about Grandpa often, and I especially feel him close when I am participating in music. I felt him with me today while I was performing in my handbell choir. I feel his influence in my life and I am so grateful to have been blessed with such a wonderful Grandpa who blessed my life more than I could ever begin to explain. He will be God's most efficient and friendly angel. He has always treated every person he has ever encountered as if they were his best friend. So I am sure he is bringing all the heavenly hosts together to rally through these last days. I love you Grandpa and will see you again in the eternities.
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