It has been a rough week. MOnday my Grandmother died. She had Alzheimer's. She also taught me how to quilt. Which is why I got involved with AAQI. She was 82 years old. I didn't expect her passing to be as upsetting to me as it was. I know that sounds awful. But we have been saying goodbye for over 2 years. Each day would take another little piece of my grandmother's memory and life. She was a "ghost" of the person she once was. She had not been able to recognize any of her children or her spouse for several years. Her passing was bittersweet. She is now in no pain, and she is with her husband again...and she knows him. Yet, we mourn her again, now that her body has followed. God's grace is unfailing.
During this week my parents' friends have shown up with enough food to feed a small army and sweets to open a bakery. It's amazing how food is a blessing in difficult times. We never had to think about cooking the whole week.
The wake and service were wonderful and reflected my grandmother's life. It was wonderful seeing and talking to people who knew her before. Amazing fact: She was on the basketball team in high school. That has always been my favorite photo of her. All dressed up in her uniform. I could not imagine my granny as a teenager...much less as a basketball player. (In case you are wondering, I am short).
After the service the entire family was blessed with a wonderful meal from my aunts church. I don't know how things are done in other parts of the world. Nothing happens in the life of a Southerner ( esp. a Baptist), without food. And it has helped me greatly this week.
Call your mama and your grandma and tell them that you love them. Then go to your children and bore them with stories of when you were younger. They will treasure it later.
Thank you for listening
Caren
3 comments:
I am so sorry for your family's loss.
I'm so sorry to hear your sad news, having lost both my Mum and one of my Gran's know what a difficult time it is. My thoughts are with you and your family.
I am reading this late, but my heart still goes out to you and the loss of your grandmother. My own mother is 85 with advanced Alzheimer's. So, I am continuing to walk the path your family has been on and now looking back and experiencing in so many new ways of understanding. I am sorry for such a loss for all of you but grateful that you have made, and continue to make quilts for AAQI. May we all work together to bring an end to this terrible disease that takes our loved ones from us long before their deaths. Thank you, Caren, for all that you do to raise funds for research. Many blessings.
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