Grandma passed away last night.
It could have been a lot worse. She could have lived in her state of severely diminished mental capacity for a lot longer. She could have developed bed sores or the inability to swallow. But her life still ended on a sad note - a once strong, forceful woman reduced to being unable to speak, let alone remember, due to Alzheimer's.
I was lucky enough to live a mile away from my grandparents in Redford, MI in the Detroit area during some of my formative years, from 1986-1991. That is when I got to know them best. Gramps died in 1991, but I continued to visit Grandma through the rest of her life.
My favorite childhood memories of her included making Christmas placemats out of old Christmas cards, her cooking of pear cake and red cabbage and gulumpki and pierogi, the way we used to beg her to swear at us in German when we knocked over the flowers, gardening with her, and going to church because it made her so happy. As an adult, I always was amazed by her kindness. What other grandparents could a college kid call up at two o'clock in the morning after a breakdown on the freeway, and when we get to her house, she insists that I and all my friends (who had gone to a concert at Pine Knob) eat ice cream?
Dad, when he called me this morning, told me I was definitely her favorite grandson, because I was the only one who visited her in her last years. I usually brought my dog, who she loved. She was my godmother and a kind, strong woman and I'll miss her. I'm thankful I was able to see her one last time - on Saturday - and that she smiled at me and seemed to be having a good day.
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12 comments:
Sorry to hear about your grandmother, but I am so glad you were able to be there.
I think you're right. She waited for you....and once she saw you were OK, she knew she could let go.
I'm so sorry for your loss, but happy you had such a great grandmother. I lost mine 10 years ago and I still think of her daily.
Epiph, I'm so sorry. It's good that you were able to see her before she passed away, and of course, from what you've written before, it sounds like she lived a long and fulfilling life.
Hello Epiphany. I am just a reader who stops by to read your work from time to time. It sounds as if your grandmother was truly an exceptional woman, someone who you were fortunate to have had in your life. I am very sorry for your loss. Best regards, Olaf.
I am so very soory for your loss. When I read that first line I instantly thought how good it was that you had just gotten to see her. My husband missed an opportunity to see his grandfther a few months ago, so when he passed away last month, he took that especially hard. It sounds like you have a lot of wonderful memories; hold those close.
I'm glad you and your grandmother had a chance to say goodbye to each other. I was hoping for that and it sounds like, without words, your grandma communicated her love for you when you last saw here You enjoyed the pleasure of each other's company for many good years and you were kind to each other, ice cream in the wee hours of the morning and doggie visits. I'm sorry she's gone and I hope she gives you some sign or message that she's OK now. And I hope you're dealing with everything OK.
I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother. I hope shes in a better place
My condolences to your family for the loss of your grandmother. I agree with Broadsheet: the first thought I had when I read the title of your post, figuring what it was, was, "she waited for him."
I lost my "adopted" grandmother about six weeks ago. I was visiting her in the hospital about 5 hours before she died, I was one of the last people to see her. It's such a bittersweet blessing. You're in my thoughts.
Im sorry to hear about your gramdma.
I'm sorry about your grandmother. I'm glad you got to say your good-byes.
Sorry to hear about your loss, but at least you were able to see her before she passed. As Broadsheet said, it is as though she waited for you. It's a shame that her last years were "in a fog," for lack of a better term. At least you will have lots of great memories of her, though.
My condolences to you and yours.
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