Let me start by saying how incredibly, amazingly blessed I am to have 2 living great grandmothers. I'm nearing the age of 30 and the fact that they're alive and got to be at my wedding is amazing. Since I got married, both have gone downhill, but one in particular. We knew then she was starting in the early stages of dementia, but was able to understand what was going on and loved the wedding.
Last year around Christmas time, she was at the point where she'd sit with my grandfather and tell him all about her son without ever realizing who she was talking to. These days, she mostly sleeps. It's like her body is giving out on her.
Today I just opened a box from my great aunt (my grandfather's sister, this great grandmother's daughter). My great grandmother collected dolls. She always wanted one as a kid, but they couldn't afford one for her, so she collected them as an adult. The box had one of her favorite dolls in it with a note from my great aunt telling me my great grandma wanted me to have it. I lost it and have been losing it every few minutes since.
This means a few things. First of all, she thought of me during one of her lucid moments and wanted me to have something special. I also know, though, that people give away special things like that when they know they won't be around much longer.
I've never lost anybody I was remotely close to. Right now, I'm feeling a bit lost on how to deal with the idea of losing her. I know she's not gone yet. I also know we've been oh so slowly losing her for some time. It just feels so much more real now that she'll likely be gone soon.
To compound matters, my other great grandma (my grandmother's mother), broke her foot three months ago and has shown no improvement. It's looking like she'll likely never walk again. She's always been so feisty and independent (she only gave up driving a few years ago), this is going to be extremely hard on her.
Last year around Christmas time, she was at the point where she'd sit with my grandfather and tell him all about her son without ever realizing who she was talking to. These days, she mostly sleeps. It's like her body is giving out on her.
Today I just opened a box from my great aunt (my grandfather's sister, this great grandmother's daughter). My great grandmother collected dolls. She always wanted one as a kid, but they couldn't afford one for her, so she collected them as an adult. The box had one of her favorite dolls in it with a note from my great aunt telling me my great grandma wanted me to have it. I lost it and have been losing it every few minutes since.
This means a few things. First of all, she thought of me during one of her lucid moments and wanted me to have something special. I also know, though, that people give away special things like that when they know they won't be around much longer.
I've never lost anybody I was remotely close to. Right now, I'm feeling a bit lost on how to deal with the idea of losing her. I know she's not gone yet. I also know we've been oh so slowly losing her for some time. It just feels so much more real now that she'll likely be gone soon.
To compound matters, my other great grandma (my grandmother's mother), broke her foot three months ago and has shown no improvement. It's looking like she'll likely never walk again. She's always been so feisty and independent (she only gave up driving a few years ago), this is going to be extremely hard on her.
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