Hi Abby. We just got back from vacation in the Smoky Mountains, but more on that later. We got sad news this morning- your great grandpa Orlin passed away this morning at 89. I am so sad, he was an amazing man and you really, really loved your "Pa". I am so sad that you won't get to remember your times with him, because he really loved you as much as you loved him.
At least 15 years go, Orlin had a stroke that affected a great deal of his speech and mobility. Before the stroke, I remember Orlin as being a quiet but gentle and loving grandpa. He would stand up for me when Tiffany was being unfair, and he was probably the first to do so aside from my mom. After the stroke, he had difficulty speaking and generally didn't say too much.
Still, he lived an active and happy life until this morning when pneumonia took him. Although I don't know a whole lot about Orlin's life prior to when I met him (I was about 3) I'm sure that I will in the coming days and hope to update this more thoroughly for you.
You have gotten to be around Orlin quite a bit, whether it was holidays or them helping us out with babysitting you. You get so excited when we get close to somerville, and were always so excited to see "Pa." He loved to play with you, and always had a big smile on his face when you were around. Recently, even though he didn't have much use of his arms, you were asking him for milk and he was trying to get it for you. We just celebrated his 89th birthday and I can remember you just smiling really big and pointing and yelling "PAAA" over and over. And you didn't like when anyone else gave him hugs- you got pretty mad at Aunt Ginny for giving him a hug. You love your Pa. I know you won't get to remember this special relationship, but know that if there is a heaven, you have at least one angel that loves you very much.
