Forgive me tonight... my blog does serve as a personal journal and today I feel compelled to record a important event and honor my grandma. Today is my Grandma's 92 nd birthday. I am so proud of my Grandma and all she has done and continues to do (with great effort I might add). She has proudly raised 6 children, 22 grandchildren and has 38 great grandchildren, she has worked hard all her 92 years in every capacity she was given. Today she struggles to walk and do more simple things yet she still does what she can on her own. She is a wonderful example to me and gave me a wonderful mother.
My Grandma and Jacob at the wedding...
On a sad note my Grandma was not able to spend her much of her special day with my Grandpa and I know that was very hard on her. My Grandpa is also 92. He has spent his life working hard and has always been such a huge support to all of us. I have so many good memories. The last two years my Grandma became unable to walk without help. He has done so much to help her. About May of this year his health suddenly declined. He had a surgery and has never recovered. He has lived a wonderful life.. yet seeing him like this has broken my heart. He is not well and is being cared for by hospice (so he is not at home). My Grandma misses him so much. He is not often awake when she visits (he has only been gone two weeks). Today when we asked her what she wanted to do for her special day she just wanted to be with him. She saw him this morning and for once he was awake. He can't speak anymore much but he knew she was there. Tonight after visiting with her I stopped by with all the kids. I know he is rarely alert but I wanted to try anyway (they are far off for me to come that often). I got lucky and he was awake. He was in the dining room staring off into space and when we walked in his face lit up. Even though he could not speak much he knew we were there. We took him on a short walk, visited in his room and spent some time with him. It was very emotional for me. He could not say much but what he did say was asking about my Grandma. I found a note on his night stand for the staff to read to him... it said " Ivan, I love you and I miss you" Marge (my Grandma). I was so touched by it. I told him how all my Grandma wanted to do today was see him and he smiled big. It has been so difficult for me to see my strong (odd defying) Grandpa turn into a frail sick person. I know I should realize how lucky I am he has been so healthy so long but I find myself feeling so sad at the thought of loosing him (and I know that is going to happen soon). I suppose no matter how long someone lives, or how wonderful a life it is, we all never want that to end. He is still the same person I have known all my life and loved. Anyway, tonight I am grateful for my Grandma but most especially for the opportunity to see my Grandpa and spend time with him. To see his smile and his touch... because it may be the last time I get that opportunity.
My Grandpa after his surgery (May 2007). He was doing a lot better then. He collects clocks so somehow he charmed this clock out of the hospital and got to take it home. I like this picture because you can still see more of the light in his eyes.
My Grandpa about two weeks ago. He has gotten much worse since this day.
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My Grandma and Jacob at the wedding...
My Grandpa after his surgery (May 2007). He was doing a lot better then. He collects clocks so somehow he charmed this clock out of the hospital and got to take it home. I like this picture because you can still see more of the light in his eyes.
My Grandpa about two weeks ago. He has gotten much worse since this day.
8 comments:
Oh, Laura! I have a lump in my throat. What a wondeful tribute to both of your grandparents but heartwrenching at the same time.
Hugs!
Made me misty to girl. I am so inspired by how much your grandparents still care for each other. I don't have that kind of super relationship with any of my grandparents. It sounds like you really have something to cherish.
I don't know how or why I found your blog but I just lost my grandma and wrote a tribute to her on my blog. I hope you have many more days with your grandparents.
Hang in there. I am always amazed at the similarities in our lives since we've never actually met. My grandpa is in a very similar situation. We are enjoying as much time with him as we can. I think it is great that you were able to spend some time with him and that the Lord allowed him to be awake and alert. What a great tribute to marriage your grandparents are! I love the little note your grandma wrote.
Laura,
I love this post and I couldn't have said it any better. I thought when Grandpa was put in the hospice what a relief it must be for grandma but it was quite the opposite as she was always asking my mom when he would be coming home. My mom had to break it her that he was not. When my mom told me that Grandpa was doing better and had chip up a bit i thought thats good news but then is it? Anyways I do love this post and I love the pics especially the one with grandpa and the clock.
Thanks for sharing
Sarah
wow laura, what a great post! i'm so sorry your grandparents are not doing well. your grandpa reminds me so much of mine. mine passed away about 12 years ago. it's so hard to see the ones you love like that. what a wonderful thing the way your grandparents still love each other!
Laura -- my grandparents were so special to me and I miss them so much. Your post brought me back to them and all of the fun times we had together. Thank you for "getting personal" and letting us share in your life. What a fantastic post.
Ahhh, your sweet Grandpa:) What a nice tribute to your Grandparents. I was just thinking the other day that these times are coming soon for me too. A whole generation of my family is on their way out. Though they will all leave behing wonderful legacies, it is so hard to part with the flesh. I know where your heart is and I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
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