growing old

Yesterday I went to visit my grandmother who is 88 years old. She wasn't doing very well and I was not prepared for what I found. She was very pale, lifeless and weak. I couldn't help myself from sitting there and crying. As the day continued I just cried more. At one point she looked at me and said "why are you crying?" as she reached over and wiped my tears. I replied "I love you so much and I hate to see you sick". "Oh don't worry I won't be sick long. How are you my kin?" I had to laugh a little. I replied "I am your granddaughter Dana, Jon's daughter and I have three kids that are your great grandchildren." "Oh that is a really nice name, I like it a lot." "Yes Grandma, you came up with the name, I was names after my dad your son, Jon Dana." she replies "Very nice name, will you hold my hand". So I sat there and held her hand for a while.

When grandpa talks to her, he calls her his girlfriend, it always brings a smile to my face. At one point she asked grandpa if he was married. I don't know if she was trying to pick up on him or what. He would just answer her yes hunny I am married to you for almost 70 years now. Oh she would say.

My grandmother.

Wonderful Example - The best I have come across

Loving

Always being of service to anyone and everyone

Always wanted to learn new things, she was always taking classes to better herself and teach others what she has learned from cooking to writing to gardening

Best journal keeper I have meet - we read to her her journals and old letters

Resourceful - I don't think the woman ever purchased containers for the kitchen. She always used the old yogurt or other containers.

Always calm

NEVER judged anyone and NEVER said a bad word about ANYONE

I will always remember

the weekend sleepovers with the cousins

basket of strawberries as valentine gifts

the best enclosed porch ever, that we turned into our play land

Wonderful garden to pick flowers, fruits and veggies

Aways there to give advice and to just love us

The bucket of dress up clothes and drawer of extra clothes....just in case we had an impromptu sleepover.

The best pot roast, Italian soup, fried pies and bread you have ever tasted.

The boxes of old cards, buttons, yarn ect that she would save so that the "kids" could make craft projects.

Her love of apples and popcorn

Willingness to serve in church

I hope that I can be half as good a mother and grandmother that she has been. I have learned so much from her and I am eternally grateful for that.