Remembering Afi

I was in Mexico, getting ready to leave for the airport and go home when I learned my Afi had passed. I was in shock. I couldn't believe it. My sole surviving grandparent, who had no illness or known health issues, died unexpectedly on Thursday Dec 5th. He was 89.
It wasn't until I got home and saw my Dad that I learned what had happened. Apparently he had spent the day at a Christmas party. He had been in good spirits, eating and singing. He was with my Uncle Kris and Aunt Colleen. They had wanted to spend time with him before leaving to enjoy the holidays at their home in Arizona. They said he sat on Santa's knee and asked for a beer for Christmas. After the party he went to his room for a nap and there he drifted off to wake no more. Truly a remarkable (and peaceful) ending for a man I considered to be remarkable himself.
 I know little of Afi's early days but my impression was he came from humble beginnings. I also felt he was a bit of a fighter but that was a necessary part of growing up and getting by in London in the early 1930's. Later I know he served in World War II and was stationed in Iceland where he met my Amma. He married her there and brought her back to England. They started a young family before immigrating to Winnipeg. I know he was resourceful and good with his hands - I believe he was a car mechanic at one point. I also know he was smart. Not only because of his quick wit and fast jokes but because he became a tax account and helped local farmers with their returns.
For me I remember my Afi as someone who had a real passion for having a good time. He loved to sing, he loved to dance, he loved even more having an audience. He could tell great stories and always had a joke or two in his back pocket. He loved to drink beer, he loved his legion and he loved to gamble. The very first bet I ever laid was at a racetrack with my Afi. I must have been about seven or eight years old. All day he put his money down on 5 and 7 but they never came in and it never seemed to bother him. He just liked cheering on the horses and watching them round the bend.
I remember he loved to fish and he loved to play cards. I remember doing both of these things with him.
When I was 19, I had the great fortune to be invited on a trip to Iceland with my Afi and Amma. I saw first-hand how everyone there loved him. He was the life of the party, the center of attention. I also had the lovely experience of going to the church with them where they got married. Both deep in memories, I watched their faces as they smiled at the site around them and then at each other. Afi was also the one to introduce me to Icelandic ice cream. He told me it was the best ice cream in the world and though I haven't sampled ice cream the world over, I believe he's right on that one.
I remember visiting Afi in his home the summer after Amma died. He was so sad and he told me he often saw her walking around in the house. He admitted then he wanted to drown himself in booze and perhaps join her. That was the only time I saw him vulnerable, not laughing and not joking around. I was happy for him when he met Josie and came back to his old self again.
And his old self was singing and dancing and telling jokes and stories. I will always love and appreciate his lust for life. I think I will always miss him too. His quiet ending was the most any of us could have asked for. Rest in peace Afi. You are loved. xoxo

. . . and even now I can hear him singing

                            " . . . this is my cheese smeller,
                                    cheese smeller my darling dear
                                   and zhat is what I learned in my school
                                   yah, yah! . . ."