Jewells of Thought

Whether you have good or bad memories of your elders some memories just stick or rather pull at your heart!

Growing up I remember how busy Rosemary and Freddy were, always tending to others. if someone in our family or church family needed something, my grandparents would be there. Visiting them in their homes or hospital beds they made the effort and took the time. Grandpa died after giving his testimony at church. A story in itself. It was quick and rather painless, but Grandma was a survivor and lived 15 years without the love of her life. Her last 6 years were spent in nursing homes.

Yes that’s plural there were 3 officially and something was wrong at all of them one way or the other. She stayed at Sullivan first, then Jasper, and lastly Jasonville. We all admit Jasper had the best food, but it took some of us literally 3 hours to get to her and come home not counting the actual visit. While we were still farmers that was nearly impossible and left us emotionally and physically exhausted. It was not always easy to get our family on the same page, but we were persistent and God and prayer got us through those family battles. Jasonville became her home and fortunately she was among friends at this residence, of course my grandma made friends wherever she went. Rosemary was a rose beautiful, vibrant, she loved to laugh and was always in fashion.

We knew we were on borrowed time anyway, God had spared her about a year earlier in spring 2019. According to the nephrologist and other doctors she should have never made it through that second night, her BUN numbers were like dynamite and all we could do was wait for it. She had already ruled out dialysis due to watching my Uncle go through that long and arduous process for 5 years. So her last week to 10 days were the longest days of our lives. Especially when some of us visited as often as every other day or every single day.

My last visit with Grandma Rosie was a week before St. Patrick’s Day. My mom, younger brother and I watched a movie shot in Ireland and it was a Hallmark special. I was talking up how much fun a vacation would be there with her. A part of Grandma’s family was from Ireland. I knew it was a fantasy, but it is a blessing we don’t know all the details of the future.

Three years cannot completely assuage our hurt and pain about Grandma’s last few days… alone. There is another article coming tomorrow. I believe it will be the final in this series, but as I said the details for tomorrow can still be changed.