I thought about my dear Granny today. She was quite possibly the most generous, kind, fun-lovin', amazing, beautiful woman that walked this planet. Over the course of 10-12 years, we watched her succumb to the horrors of Alzheimer's. And right up to the end (about 3 months hospice care at home – as my Grandfather who married her 70 years prior would NEVER consider putting her in a home) she had a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her face. She forgot kids, grandkids, friends. Hell, she forgot up from down by the time it was over….but she never forgot the man she married and spent her life with….her "babyface".
I don't have one memory of the 32 years of my life I that I was able to know and love that woman that were not filled with laughther and happiness….right up until the night I leaned over her hospital bed…in the middle of the living room of her home…where we had so many great, fun memories…and gently kissed her on the cheek and told her goodbye.
Right up until the last month of her life, she was happy. She didn't know what was going on around her a lot of the time….who she was with…but she always smiled, explaining that she had "something" and sorry if she didn't remember us. Then she would smile or laugh….and explain that she had "Something" and sorry if she didn't remember us. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. All with a glowing smile and welcoming warmth in her eye that somehow made this terribly painful time for our family not quite so bad.
I think about her a lot. I see her in my kids smiles and hear her in their laughter. I only grieve for the fact they were never able to know her.
Love ya' Granny! Miss ya' bunches.
Papa
May 11, 2006 at 2:47 am
Nice post.
I wish I could write things like that, but they always come out snarky.
Your kids may not have had the chance to meet your grandmother, but they have you, your memories, and the things you learned from her and can share with them. And I think that is pretty cool.