What would you do in this situation?

My Grandfather who will be 90 years old this week was just diagnosed with Terminal Lung Cancer. On the outside they give him from 7 – 10 months.

I live in San Antonio and seldom get back to El Paso for time with my family.

Here is my plan but I’m looking for feedback.

What if I take 8 days off…

1) Drive from San Antonio to Red River for the Jeep Jamboree September 16th for the Jeep Jamboree 17th & 18th. I already have my ticket I got it back in March.
2) Then shoot to El Paso Sunday and spend five days back home spend some time with my Grandfather and other Family.
3) From there go to Amarillo for the Palo Duro Challenge the 23rd- 25th???
4) Come back to San Antonio and go back to work on Tuesday the 27th.

Is this a plan or what…

My sister works for Southwest and I can make it back for the holidays and again in the Spring.

My Grandfather has never seen my Rubicon but he knows how much I love wheelin’ and how I have enjoyed my JeepTales Project this year.

I have been gone from El Paso for over 15 years and I never seem have time to be there for more than a day or two.

What do you think?

Sounds ok, just make sure if something happens at the jamboree that you do not feel guilty that you werent spending the time with your grandfather. You can always go on more wheeling trips, but once your grandfather is gone, he is gone.

Sprung TJ has a point. You should be willing and/or able to leave your wheeling trip at a moments notice. I don't know your Grandfather but, I would imagine him to be like most other Grandparents. He would probably be happier knowing you're enjoying doing something you enjoy than to be sitting around looking at him waiting for something to happen. The real problem is how you would feel if things went south. I don't know that anyone can give you advice on that. Wish I could be more help!

What about taking him (your Grandfather) with you on one of the trips. You might have to do some easier trails, but he might really enjoy the trip and the time with you.

Yep, if I could go back in time and hang with my grandpa more I would. I'd trade in my TJ right now for another hour with him.

Here's my suggested priority list for ya:

1) Then shoot to El Paso Sunday and spend five days back home spend some time with my Grandfather and other Family.

End of list.

Thanks guys!

You know, I was thinking about this late last night as I was being bombarded by email and P.M.s from my post, it’s entirely his fault; he is the reason I have developed my obsession for Jeeps and cars in general!

My Grandfather spent his life working hard, he was a master welder in a Volvo, GMC, and White Truck dealership. As a kid I spent countless hours in the shop helping him clean up at night and running for parts at the bus stop in the evening after work. I can’t tell you how many pair of school pants I’ve ruined from shop-grease stains. As I was growing up I thought every one owned a giant Snap-On Tool chest and wore grey uniforms to work.

I have no choice but to blame it on Grandpa...

You might ask why I would pick on him toady after all it’s his 90th birthday today. Why would anyone pick on the Father of 6 children, Grand father to 8, and the Great Grandfather of 12 more? I have the prestigious honor of being the oldest Grandson so, that gives me the right to pick on him a little.

Here is a list of why I blame him for my automotive passion.

• When I was 11 I helped him with a break job on his 64 Mustang.
• Later that year we swapped the transmission from a stick shift to an automatic for my mom I was part of the action for all the work I think I was 12 for that Job.
• He thought me to drive when I was 13 in a 1963 VW Bug.
• When I was 15 we took the column shifter out of my 1964 Ford Fairlane when the linkage gave out and put in a three speed Mr. Gasket Shifter on the floor.
• That same year we added traction bars and a taller rear end to my Ford.
• At 16 we started welding my first VW Rail Buggy frame and we built it from the ground up used the engine and transmission of the Bug I learned to drive with.
• He helped my restore a 43 Dodge Brothers truck I bought for $400.00 from wreck to one hot ride for a high school senior. We even painted it gloss black together at night when the body shop was closed I’m sure he could have lost his job for that.
• He cosigned for my first Jeep a used CJ-7 and helped me keep it running for 3 years…God what a terd that Jeep was it’s a wonder I still like them at all.
• When I got out of Collage he helped me lift my CJ-8 and weld on my homemade bumpers…Wish I still had that Jeep.
• He helped me buy and learn to ride not one; but 7 motorcycles while I was growing up from a Honda Trail 50 to my last Gold Wing.
• Then there were all those life lessons he thought me while we were under the hood working on all those cars and bikes. That’s where I was introduced to beer…if I was doing man’s work I could take sips of his man’s beer I think that started about 14!

So as you can see I have roots that firmly planted in motor oil and mud and beer drinking in the garage. So I think it’s fair to say it was all Grandpas fault. I would not trade any of those memories for anything.

7 - 10 months. Or he could be gone in a week. Cancer doubles in size every time it grows. It might not grow for weeks, even months. or it might grow 5 times in a day.