Hey, everyone. I need to give you all an update.
So last week, my Grandmother (my Mom's Mom) went to the hospital for pneumonia, and was released by last Thursday. My parents went to go see her on Saturday, and she seemed her usual self. By the next day, however, she was starting to get worse according to the nursing home, and the nurses put her on morphine. So yesterday, I took off work for a couple hours to go visit her (my parents, and older brother were there also), and we were met with my Grandmother getting worse. I had never seen her like that. Could barely communicate, hardly move, and felt frustrated because we could not understand what she wanted. All we could hear her say most of the time was, "help me." Her health was unfortunately getting worse, and it looked as though she would make it through the week. It was...very difficult to see her like that, and we had no prior knowledge that her health had gotten this bad over the last 24 hours. After about an hour being there, I could not cope with seeing her like this, so I had to leave. I went up to her one last time, touched her arm, and in my head said, "Good bye, Grandma." That was my final goodbye, and the last time I'd ever see her alive. I did not go back to work yesterday afternoon.
About an hour ago, my Mom got a call from the nursing home that she had passed. It was strange in a way because I came to visit my folks after work earlier today, and in person, talk with them on how everyone was doing, including her. My Mom had gone to the nursing home earlier that day, and my Grandmother was not like she was yesterday, so it appeared she was getting better. My Mom asked if I wanted to stay for Dinner, so I agreed, and we all ate, chatted (my brother was there too), laughed, and had a good time. I was just about to head out when the nursing home called, and could tell immediately based on my Mom's tone of voice that something had happened. She got off the phone, looked at my brother and I, and said, "She's gone." My brother and I gave her a hug, and then she had to get ready to head over to the Nursing home, along with my Dad. I stayed a few extra minutes, talked with my Dad, and then left to head home. In the coming days, we'll be getting things prepared for the funeral, and everything else.
I think the worst part of it all is unlike my Dad's parents where they both went rather quickly, my Mom's parents did not. My Grandfather was getting worse, but held on for a few more weeks before he passed. And my Grandmother over the past couple of months had some trips to the hospital. Looking back though, it did appear things were getting better. Prior to yesterday, I had last seen her on Christmas Eve, and a week prior she had just gotten some new hearing aids, which greatly improved her quality of life. We gave her a new sweater even as a Christmas gift. And then last week, my Mom bought her some new shoes, as her other ones were a few years old, and getting old. Everything looked like she was going to continue to live on. My oldest brother, who is living in the UK right now, was coming home next month for a few days, would be staying with my parents, and we'd all go and see her. She was even looking forward to turning 96 in March, having a party and inviting friends, as well as looking beyond to reaching 100. But unfortunately, none of that happened.
For everyone here who still has their grandparents, please do go see them often, tell them you love them, and cherish those moments you spend with them because time will fly, and you'll miss it. Ask them to tell you stories of when they were younger. Anything. Go do it. Before I started working full-time a couple years ago, I went to go see my grandmother often when my Mom went. We used to go into the lounge, and my Mom and I would sit in these chairs by the corner of the room while my grandma would place her wheelchair in front of us. I really enjoyed those times. And I'll always remember this one time a few years ago, my parents drove down south with a friend of theirs, and so I took it upon myself to go visit my grandmother in the nursing home. She and I chatted for hours, talking about life, the times when she was younger, what I was going to be doing with my life, etc. It was probably one of my favorite moments of spending time with her, and thinking about it, it was the last time it was just the two of us spending time together. It was also a nice day out, so I took her outside in the courtyard. Now I realize I'll never get another opportunity like that again.
So please, everyone. Take every opportunity you can to spend time with your grandparents. Over the last couple of years, I felt I neglected in seeing her as often due to always being busy with work. I don't want to say I feel guilty about it, but it does make me think of the other moments I could've had in spending time with her. I never even got another chance to play cards with her like I said I would awhile ago. But I always had fun spending time with her, even during moments when she wasn't having the greatest of day; I knew she always enjoyed our company, and knowing that we still cared for her.
Thank you, Grandma, for all the wonderful memories, and all the times we spent together. Go and be with Grandpa now. He's been waiting for you.