Just after Mother’s Day I got the call. “Grandma is going into the hospital for some tests.”
Words you never want to hear.
Within a week we had a diagnosis – stage 4 Lung Cancer. Plans were made to get to New York. My mom was to go out on the 26th of May; Archie and I were going on June 10th. None of us made it. We just didn’t have enough time. She was gone not a week after her diagnosis.
14 years ago I lost my grandpa. Less than a week ago I lost my grandma.
“GroGram” as her great-grandchildren called her. She was stubborn, strong, proud, and oh-so-loving. Nothing meant more than family. She’d seen what suffering Grandpa went through when he fought his cancer – and she wasn’t about to put us through it.
But the loss feels so sudden, so strong.
Her life was rich, full, long.
She had 3 daughters, 5 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren – not counting spouses, who all loved her as if they’d been born into her family.
I had 33 years w/ her in my life. Brandon was blessed to have known her during his 12 years. My girls – they won’t remember. The picture of GroGram holding Riley is one of the few I have of her w/ my kids. I’ll always wish we’d gone to see her more. Financially it wasn’t feasible, but I still wish we’d forced it.
With each day you spend with your family, whether they live close or far – remember that in the end it will never seem like enough time together. Don’t scrimp on time, eat it up and revel in it. Take hundreds of pictures, don’t leave the camera in the case. Don’t waste a moment – because every time it’s over far too soon.
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I love you, Gramma…GroGram. We all miss you so much – but I know you’re with Grampa, happy and free of pain.
Cherish each moment…what an important message. Some feel that seeing someone while they’re suffering is to hard on themselves; they don’t realize the extra pain it will bring them when that person is gone. Revel in each day, each moment, each time of laughter, tears, joy, sorrow, for they can fill your soul as nothing else can. Thank you, Sarah, for using your wonderful gift to touch others’ hearts. Much love to you all!
Thank you for commenting, Aunt Debbie. This post (and some that are coming) have been difficult to write. Writing is therapeutic for me, so this is part of my way of dealing with it. I’m glad you were able to take something away from it. Despite the pain of the situation it was good to see you and hug you again. Much love to you and Kenny. A good strong healing to him.