Since I graduated college in 2000 my grandfather and I got pretty close. I tell everyone that we went full circle this summer. I was working on my car doing something and he was sitting there watching me. I stopped and said I have to get something from down stairs in the basement. I go through his tools and find a hammer some nails and got some scrap wood. Started a nail in the wood like he used to do for me when I was like 5 and proceeded up the stairs to where he was sitting and I handed him the wood and went back to doing what I was doing. About 5 minutes goes by and he asked me what I need this for. I told him that is for him to play with. You gave me that when I was young and now it is your turn.

In the past 2 years or so he has been very protective of his stuff to everyone. Especially his tools that he aquired through the years. Except when it came to me, he always said if there is anything I need to take it. I never did because I could not accept that one day he would no longer be with us.

About 3 weeks about he went back into the hospital and his colon cancer has grown. After further tests, they discovered that it has spread to his liver and lungs. They discussed surgery, but he would not survive. Chemo therapy he will not do anymore. So now I have to accept that he is going to pass. They give him about 6 months to live. It took me a while to accept this, but now I do feel a little better now.

A few days ago when I stopped into see him my aunt was there and I remembered that my grandfather is afraid that when he passes her husband (no relation and he is an asshole) will take everything from the house. I spoke to him and he told me to take everything that I would need to maintain a house that I will soon buy.

Yesterday was the day that I actually felt like a theif. No one was to know I was there. I went down to the basement and emptied drawers and drawers of stuff. He used to work for general electric in the tool room and believed that when you ordered something for the employee that the company should always have a spare and 1 for him. SO I have a tap and die set for bolts and pipes that has to be well over 100 peices, pipe wrenches including a 18" long adjustable copper wrench, hole saws, drills and bits...pretty much everything that I saw that I could leave with that day. The beater car is full. I left the table saw. I don't have a place to store that, but I will ask him anyways. I still have to go back and unbolt a pipe holder and grinder that is bolted to his work bench. It was a hard day, but I hope it sets his mind at ease that the asshole will never get the things that he felt was valuable to him.

That is my story to tell for a while