John Wayne Kehres

On January 20th, 2010, my grandpa (my mom's dad) John Wayne Kehres passed away. His health had deteriorated significantly in the past year. Though our family knew his time here on this earth was coming to end, his death still seemed untimely.

My grandpa was a great man. He served in the US Air Force for over 20 years, fought in two wars (Vietnam and Korea), and raised 5 daughters (though he'd always wanted a son). So many people loved him, and he will be missed. I will miss him, he was my son's as well as my own namesake.

My mom had planned a baby shower/open house the same week Grandpa Jack passed. Her family thought it would be fitting to continue on with it since Baby J is named after him. It sort of symbolized the circle of life.

So many old friends were able to come to see Baby J as well as offer their condolences! It meant a lot to me, and especially my mom. It was a great get together, and a ton of food. My mom and dad told me earlier in the week, they weren't planning on having a bunch of food there, and yet this is laid out... That baby was probably held by 30 different people that day. He slept the entire time, and yet it still somehow exhausted him.

The funeral was the following week. It was really wonderful gathering. He was laid to rest in a veteran cemetery, where the interment consisted of a 21 gun salute, the playing of Taps, and presentation of the American flag to my grandma. The officer said (almost whispered) something I couldn't make out at the time, but my sister told me later. She said, "On behalf of the President of the United States, the Department of the Air Force, and a grateful nation, we offer this flag for the faithful and dedicated service of Major John Wayne Kehres". How beautiful!

A lot of my mom's extended family live back east, and many of them were able to come out which made things more comforting and special. I feel extremely grateful to have such a supportive and loving family. The circumstances were unpleasant, but having them there was really great. I enjoyed catching up with all of them.

Sometimes, I think about the what ifs. What if I hadn't been induced? Would I still have had a c-section? Would I have had an easier delivery? When would he had been born? Amidst all the questions, I know I needed to have Baby J when I did. If not, he might not have met his great-grandpa, and my grandpa might not have met his great-grand son.

This was one of the last pictures taken of my grandpa, two weeks before it happened. It was the first time he met Little John.