Big ‘G’
Back in April 2005 I wrote about my Grandma and how she graduated from Hospice into a nursing home and into an assisted living apartment. I love the fact that she was able to graduate out of Hospice. Hospice is a great group of people that have hearts bigger than I could understand.
Why my Grandmother was better than any other: Before I was born my Grandma adopted my mother (kinda). My Mother grew up in foster homes and she didn’t have many family or family friends. When she was 20 she was married and become pregnant and was due nine months after the wedding. This was at the time my mother was just having my older sister. When my sister was born my mom told the nurse that her friend waiting in the hall was her mom so that she could enter the room after delivery. My Dads family was very distant in miles and in mind set.
To get my grandma into the birthing room My Mom said grandma was her mother. and this is when she became Big ‘G’. My older Sister was born and both mom and Big ‘G’ had to learn how to take care of a baby. I think they dropped her on her head once or twice…
Well we grew up and not only survived but we became a strong family because Grandma had a strong foundation in Christ and followed the Lutheran Church throughout our lives. She made sure we had Sunday School. She made sure we went to church on a regular basis. She made sure we studied and were confirmed. She made sure we knew the Blessings or Jesus and that we knew the laws of the lord.
She made us who we are today.
And last week she fell off her bed trying to walk without any help. she broke her hip and had to have surgery again. My family pulled together again and spent time with her and made sure she was never alone in the hospital. we made sure the nursing staff knew we would be there all the time and that she needed to be very well taken care of.
She was discharged from the hospital back to the home she has lived in for the last 5 years…after two days in her home we took her back to the hospital ER because something was just not right…she was cold and clammy. she was admitted that night. after all the tests it was determined that she didn’t have any options because she could not survive surgery.
My twin sister was flying in to spend Easter working with our family and took a stand by flight. She arrived at the Air port at 3 PM. I was picking her up and grandma died at 2:15 on Good Friday. She lived 85 years and I was able to be a part of 40 of them. She went peaceful and happy because we had my sister on a speaker phone in the morning and our whole family was with her all day. We were talking to her about the trials and tribulations of our childhood with her.
We all miss her smile and laugh already. we all know she is in a better place. She was a wonderful lady and we were lucky to have her as family.
My previous posts about my Big ‘G’ are here and here
Big “G’,
I love you more!
12 Comments »
12 Responses to “Big ‘G’”
Raven on 07 Apr 2007 at Sat 07 April 2007 20:20:56 #
I’m sorry to hear of this Michael. You and your family are in my thoughts…Your Grandmah was a lucky lady to have you in her life, her heart, her soul.
God Bless you friend.
Robert on 07 Apr 2007 at Sat 07 April 2007 20:30:59 #
Sorry to hear of your loss my friend. y’all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Wild Thing on 07 Apr 2007 at Sat 07 April 2007 20:34:02 #
I am so sorry, what a dear Grandma you had. She touched many lives and in touching yours so much it continues on as you touch others lives like myself and so many others.
My prayers for you and your family.
GM Roper on 07 Apr 2007 at Sat 07 April 2007 20:39:31 #
Michael, I’m genuinely sorry my friend. There are no words that I can say that offer solice, but know that you and your family are in my prayers. Your grandmother is in a happier place, know this and rejoice in her life.
GM
Mustang on 07 Apr 2007 at Sat 07 April 2007 20:55:15 #
Intellectually, we all know that passing over is part of the process of life . . . and yet, when it is someone we deeply love, it very often doesn’t seem fair. My Gram lived to age 98, and told me once that old age was over-rated - but it didn’t make her passing any easier for me.
I have no doubt but that she was very proud of you, Michael . . . and loved you dearly. I know you made her happy while she was with you. I agree with GM . . . your Big G is in a much better place . . . and I do believe, with all my heart, she’ll be waiting for your arrival. May God bless you and yours.
Semper Fidelis . . .
Always On Watch on 07 Apr 2007 at Sat 07 April 2007 20:58:28 #
Sorry to hear of your loss. But you and your family saw to it that Big G was well taken care of, even when you couldn’t be with her.
civil truth on 07 Apr 2007 at Sat 07 April 2007 21:13:56 #
I know you and your family are going to miss Big G, and there’s no way around that. At the same time, she knows she’s away from her body and in the presence of Jesus, which is bringing her much joy as she anticipates some day being with you all again.
One thing that’s very healing is what you’re already doing - which is to tell stories about her. I’m glad that we all in your blog-readers family can be a part of that. Do keep up the storytelling with others who knew her, and listen when they tell stories; it takes both tellers and listeners.
Do count your blessing and maintain a thankful heart - if Big G graduated from hospice, you got two more years to be with her than the doctors were expecting.
Nonetheless, grieving does take time, so don’t hesitate to write more here as you feel led or in need.
-CT
Beth on 07 Apr 2007 at Sat 07 April 2007 21:22:46 #
What a loving tribute to your grandmother (Big G is an awesome name!), Michael. I’m so sorry she’s gone, but I’m happy you had her in your life and have those memories. And yes, she is at peace.
kender on 07 Apr 2007 at Sat 07 April 2007 23:04:39 #
My deepest condolences my friend….
Kat on 08 Apr 2007 at Sun 08 April 2007 00:40:26 #
Oh, Michael, what a bittersweet time for this to happen! I know that you will miss her - I still miss my own “Big G” - but how glorious that you had her. She was such a wonderful person with so much love for you and your family; I can see that love glowing in each of your posts about her.
What can I say but I mourn with you? But, remember, we do not grieve as those who have no hope, for as Christ rose from the grave, so too shall we. Yet while she is absent from the body, she is present with Him, and you shall see her again.
I love you, dear brother, and my prayers are with you as you lay her to rest.
– Kat
Duncan on 08 Apr 2007 at Sun 08 April 2007 16:10:46 #
You and yours are in my thoughts and prayers. Loss is never easy. I don’t have any words that can sooth any anguish. I do have faith that while she is no longer in our presence, she is in the presence of her loving Lord and Savior. Of that I have no doubt…
Michael on 08 Apr 2007 at Sun 08 April 2007 21:00:57 #
Thnk you all for you kind words. It is on line friends like you that make me want to stay around more…