Grandjo and V. at Thanksgiving
Today we had nothing on the ol' schedule, except a dentist appointment for me and a loooooong day at work for Job. So, this afternoon I came home from the dentist and had a strange urgent desire to visit my grandma. I don't visit her nearly as much as I should... she only lives about 30 minutes away. So I called her up and asked if I could visit, and she said she would be thrilled.
There is a reason I hadn't visited her for a few months, and that is simply that I miss my grandpa. The last time I was at her (their) apartment was the day he passed away. I remember walking in to the living room, where he lay on his hospital bed. He had already passed, and his children were gathered around him, weeping.
Anyways, I guess I had been avoiding their home itself, not so much my grandmother. But even when I see her now, I ache a little because I know that Grandpa, her companion for over 60 years, isn't nearby.
I really did enjoy my visit with her today, though. There were a few moments when I had to fight back tears as memories of him just made his absence all the more real... I really mis his quiet presence, and the humorous comments he'd make here and there. I miss holding his dry, leathery hand or giving him a little backrub as he nodded off to sleep in his characteristic manner.
But being there made me treasure my grandmother, and how much I want her to stay, stay, stay forever.
4 comments:
What a sweet little grandma you have. V., as usual is adorable. I try not to think about losing my grandparents (my dad's side passed away years ago but I'm much closer to my mom's side), but each time I see them, I know I won't have them much longer. The old souls are so darling. Sorry your visit was so hard for you. I'm sure you made your grandma's day. I love how you described holding your grandfather's leathery hand. A familiar experience for me too.
What a great way to spend the afternoon...I understand your apprehension. I've been helping my dad go through things at my Grandpa's condo since he passed and it is such a mixed thing. I miss him and his little ways, like you described and being in the place where you saw them most just makes the emotions that much more potent. What a strange thing death is. And what a good granddaughter you are :)
btw, thanks for the sling referral!!
It's funny how emotions come and go when I think of dad/grandpa. Your post made me well up in tears, and yet I can spend time with mom/grandjo in their apt and feel dad's presence ever so near- and not feel the least bit sad. How blessed we have been to be loved so by two special people.
Thanks for letting the "Josephines" spend some time together!!
Love
Mom
This was a beautiful post, Xenia! I love the picture of your daughter and grandmother:)
Emma
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