TOTAL BAD ASS

Becky’s grandfather is one of the most unique and inspiring people I have known. He is a graduate of Cornell University and a veteran of World War II. I suppose he might conjure up images of a rough and tumble, strong and stern man. He is that; however, not quite in the way one might expect. This awesome man stands approximately 5’5” tall and weighs about 135 lbs. Just over a year ago, I had the privilege to watch him climb and prune trees. Afterward he piled up the heavy stacks of branches to load them on a trailer bed so that they could be thrown onto a brush fire. I guess that would be considered an ordinary day for this humble and unassuming 85 yr. old.

Recently, he was diagnosed as having a leaky valve as well as blocked arteries requiring the need for quadruple bypass and valve replacement surgery. Obviously, this is a relatively serious procedure and especially more so for one who is an octogenarian. However, the doctors believed that his overall health was such that they were willing and optimistic to perform the surgery. He faced this difficult ordeal in the same way he has tended his fields for more than 55 years, and the same way he has fervently loved his wife of 62 years- upbeat and with great resolve. Last Thursday morning, he entered surgery and came through groggy but characteristically upbeat. On Saturday the nurses attempted to push him in a wheelchair out of the ICU. However, he refused, wanting to walk under his own power. He also refused to take morphine, hoping to regain his strength as soon as possible. Tomorrow, just 5 days later, this 85 year old man will travel from a hospital in Erie, Pa. to his home in Fredonia, N.Y. I introduce to you- Edward Waxham- TOTAL BAD ASS!