My Grandma, Norma Earl passed away on August 25. Oh how I miss her. This has been a such hard thing for my family but we also know that it was her time. I have been meaning to blog about this for quite sometime but it is very hard for me to get my words out about it. I have never been a good writer and I struggle with getting the words that are in my head out into blogger form. I am going to attempt to write about my Grandma- the lady she was and her death. I don't expect to you to read this long post, it is more for me and journaling purposing. But your welcome to read it all if you want :)
I have always been close to my Grandma. From the beginning I can remember always sitting on her lap, she would hold me and make me feel so loved. She was like my 2nd mom. She would come pick us up from school if we were sick and my mom couldn't come get us. I remember one year she took me school clothes shopping and I even remember the cute checkered skirt and lacy blouse that I got. When I was in 4th grade we moved to our new house that was right behind my Grandmas. Her house was where I ran away to if I ever got in trouble. I loved sleepovers at Grandma's house. I think I slept over at her house once a week while I was growing up. I would go over to her house and she would make me toast with apricot jam (there was always something about Grandma's toast with jam that made it sooo good) and we would have hot chocolate. She would make me a little bed on the floor in the TV room and we would watch the Golden Girls. I loved playing with her old jewelry and gloves. She always took such good care of us. I know that she loved us so much.
I loved listening to her sing. Whenever my sisters and me were fighting she would always start singing "let us oft speak kind words to each other." She loved to dance and dance and dance. This brought her so much joy. She loved to tell stories and visit with people.
My Grandma took such pride in the way she looked and kept her house. Sometimes we thought she was too fussy or strict but looking back now I can see what a valuable quality that is to have. We could never enter the house through the sliding glass door or enter with our shoes on. We weren't allowed to sit or play in the "GOld Room." And you never touched Grandma's hair. All these things make me laugh now. She really kept things so nice.
About 5 years ago my Grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. A nasty and horrible disease. I watched my Grandma slowly slip away. It actually was a pretty fast moving disease. But I am grateful to say it never got so bad that she became a vegetable. This was hard on my whole family but we also were able to pull together and learn so much from her and serve her. In some way Alzheimers opened another side of Grandma up and we were able to see a softer and more silly Grandma. About 2 years ago Regan and I moved in with Grandma while I was student teaching. This was about the time that she started to get worse and couldn't live on her own but it was also a huge blessing to us. She took care of me just as much I took care of her. I remember coming home from student teaching a few times in tears and she would be so concerned and hug me and tell me it was okay. I love this time I was able to spend with her. Getting her ready for dances, cooking her meals, watching Dancing with the stars, getting her ready for bed and tucking her in.
We were always doing something with Grandma. Taking her shopping, out to lunch, to the movies, going on our all girl cruise, going to Nauvoo, and so many more fun things. She loved to go out and do something. She would always ask "what are we going to do today." These things really brought my family together. It was wonderful to see that somebody was always with her. I have to pay tribute my Mother and my sister Jamie. They were her primary care takers these last few years and they had such a big job but I just watched them in awe as they just stepped up and helped. I love them for this!! Because of my wonderful family we never had to put her in a nursing home. I know this was hard on everyone and everyone sacrificed things but I know that we were hugely blessed. This was what she wished-she loved her home and I am so happy she was able to be there till the very end. Thank you family!
She had a fall about 9 days before she died. The doctors believe that she had a stroke. This was the beginning of her downhill process. I was able to come home from Minnesota just a few days later. After the fall she pretty much stayed in bed, stopped eating and drinking, and lost most communication. Hospice had already been coming and they told us that she maybe had one to three days. My family rallied together and we all came together. It was so neat to see our family pull together. We really found ourselves always wanting to be at her house, close to her. People took a night shift and someone was always with her. We were drawn to her room, where she was and just sat with her, talking to her, comforting her, singing to her, reading to her. It was a sad but beautiful time. She held on for 9 days! She was fighter to the very end. Most all of the family was able to be with her in her last moments. I still can't believe she is gone. I miss her so much. I just want to hear her laugh. I know though that we have a such a loving Heavenly Father and He created a plan for all us. I know that we have a Savior who truly did save us and because of Him we get to see our loved ones again. I can't imagine not knowing this to be true. The veil is thin and we have angels round about us. The funeral was beautiful and offered closure. I think about her everyday. I want to be a little bit more like her. I love you Grandma!
