I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted but today I’m going to try and catch up. This month has been a bumpy ride, much like all of last year. My dear Grama Red passed away on January 31st at 101 years old. I know many of you have asked me about her lately and I’m so thankful you all remember her and are so kind in asking.
About 3 months ago her hip went out of the socket and she had to be hospitalized for a few days. The doctor felt putting her into an inpatient therapy facility would be beneficial in getting her leg muscles stronger and hopefully stop the hip from popping out.
She’d been doing really well, slowing getting back on her feat again, eating 3 big meals a day, and enjoying the staff. She’d been in this facility before and really like it there. The nurses just loved her and made sure her hair was done and kept her nails painted too; which was important to her.
We’ve know for several years that her kidneys were shutting down and she had signs of congestive heart failure but it hadn’t been an issue up until about a week ago. All of a sudden she started filling up with fluid and the standard water pill she was on just could no longer do its job.
Our entire family had a routine of calling Grama several times a day so she always had someone to talk too. I’m in Michigan and do to the “virus” no one can visit; we did the best we could with phone contact. The nurses even commented on how popular she was; they said she was always on the phone.
She started getting down because she wanted to come home so our family changed our phone plan and went and stood outside her window for hours so she could see us while we talked to her. Let me remind you its snowy and cold here but we bundled up and pushed through it.
She cried being able to see us; and it just broke my heart that I couldn’t get in to give her a hug. Well, the nurses made some calls to upper management and God Bless them, they allowed us in two at a time (in our hazmat suites) to be with Grama. You just can’t image what that did for her. We took turns for a few days being with her and over the weekend her 101-year-old body just couldn’t do it anymore and she passed away peacefully during her afternoon nap.
Her funeral will be this week, and that’s all a mess too. We have to do the funeral in shifts, only 35 people at a time. This is so out of control that it angers me. We can’t even be with our loved ones when they die now. I’m just grateful she went quickly and without suffering. I’ll find a way to get through the “different” funeral we will have and spend my time focusing on the good times we had: All those McDonald hamburgers, bloody marys, and long talks we shared about “the good ole’ days”.
Thanks for listening today and I’ll be back on Sunday with a more cheerful message.
Bless you and your entire family during your time of grief. It’s a horrible loss to lose one’s precious grandmother or grandfather. Mine were such treasures. Now I’m a grandmother to 10 and I try so hard to make them all feel extra special. I know the coming weeks will be difficult for you but rest in the Lord. He will make your way full of mercy.
Im sooo sorry…just so sad…I know they say we’re all in this together but Im sorry that doesnt ease the pain, sadness and anger…with no end in sight! So glad you could suit up and spend that last bit of time with her….soft hugs coming your way my dear…this old world is so messed up your mom is so much better off in heaven…our real home xo
My sympathies to you and your family in the loss of your Gramma Red. So glad you got to be with her at the end. Hugs. KB
Thank you so much for sharing about your Grandmother! I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing the “real” about your life. That’s more encouraging than all the pretty pictures! God bless you!
I’m sorry your Grandma Red is gone from this life. I am glad you had some contact before she left, though. I can see you had a special relationship.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Dawn, but I’m so happy for you that you had such an awesome grama. It’s never about the transition to the next life, wherever that may be; it’s never about how or when they die; it’s about the life they lived and the lives they touched. It sounds like Grama Red had her work cut out for her being an inspiration for over a hundred years. She must have been really good at it to have stayed around for so long. Blessings to you and your family.
Such a hard time, Dawn, but your grandmother had a wonderful life and a loving family. What more could a person ask for. This pandemic has made it difficult to mourn our loved ones, but I’m sure your grandmother knows how much everyone loved her and will miss her.
Sooooo sorry to hear this! :-(. I am glad however that she lived to 101, and that you did everything and then some to be just about the best granddaughter ever. Kudos to the “brass” at the facility for bending the oligarchy rules (that they don’t follow) to allow personal contact. It would have been cruel to disallow you to attend to her at this time. Take care, savor the memories, be well.
Much love and hugs to you and your family during this very difficult time.
I’m so sorry to hear Grandma Red has gone. I enjoyed your stories about her. She seemed forever young! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Im so sorry for your loss. Its such a hard time in life right now. I thought of her often. Will keep you and your family in my prayers. God bless you all.
I was saddened to read about your grandmother. Such a special lady and I am sure there will be a huge void in your life. I,too, have congestive heart failure so understand that. Stay well and safe. Praying for you and your family. Blessings
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss Dawn.
Your Granny must have been a special lady.
Love from,
Karen from northern Ireland. Xx
Dawn, I am so so sad to hear this…I loved your stories about Grandma Red ..I know here in Michigan it is so wrong that our loved ones in nursing homes are dying without family and your family was so lucky to be able to visit in person.. You sure do favor Grandma Red in looks..Be proud!! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am thinking she was your Mom’s Mom..not sure Take care of yourself and stay healthy..
Dawn,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Please tell your family that we’re praying for them and feel the loss of a dear Grandmother. Mine was a MaMa and PaPa and to this day I still remember my childhood with them; especially when it was raining at night and sleeping under a tin roof. It was wonderful sleeping!!! It’s hard at first and will take time but your memories will help get you thru this. God has you under His wings and He will never leave you. He is by your side every step of the way. I will be praying for you and your family and sending Love to you all in this time of need.
your friend,
jean
Dawn,
I’m so sorry to hear about Grama Red. I know she was always an inspiration to you. Thank God for the many years you were able to share and treasure them always. thoughts and prayers.
What a beautiful lady your Gramma was. So sorry to hear. It’s been hard. We lost my 94 yr old FIL on Dec 13 from a stroke and because of covid, his memorial service is Feb 12. Here in California, we are told only 15 can attend. Then in Nov, my 29 yr old niece died. I never did get to go to her funeral.
It is so sad – I had a feeling when all this broke out last year, that we might never see Pops again. We did get to see him through video chat – and then when they called us that he wouldn’t make it, we, too finally got in to see in with the hazmat suits. He didn’t even recognize us by that time.
Sounds like you have been blessed just by having her in your life. So sorry.
Oh Dawn, I’m so sorry to hear of grama Red’s passing. It is such a very odd and difficult time we are all dealing with. I lost my mother back in October and it was just awful – she too was in a home and we couldn’t get in to see her and she was very limited on her speech and being able to hold the phone! (She had a massive stroke 7 years ago! We all couldn’t believe she hung on for 7 years! She did go peacefully and for that I’m thankful but it is heart wrenching to not be able to give that last hug or kiss, tell them you love them and say goodbye.
I will keep you and your family in my prayers as you go through this odd (and awful – not gonna lie) funeral process you have to go through.
Virtual hugs to you sweet lady.
Praying for comfort for your family! I enjoyed the stories about your Grama Red. She seems like a heck of a woman!
My sincerest sympathy to you and your family. She sounds like a most wonderful loving grandmother. What a beautiful story. One question, is this your grandmother modeling for Kelloggs in 1952? That is so awesome , I can’t wait to show this to my children, as their dad and grandad were longtime employees in Memphis,tn. Praying for you as you go thru the funeral process, take care.
I am so sorry to learn about your precious Gramma Red! I know that she meant so much to you. May all the beautiful memories comfort you at this time. Hugs and prayers for you and your family.
Much love and thoughts going to you and your family. I’ve always loved reading about Grama Red and her outings. So glad she got your hugs and love ❤️
virtual hugs to you and your family. so sorry for your loss
So sorry for the loss of your grandmother. Many blessings to you and your family.
So sorry to hear about your gramma Red. I know you have many memories of her and I hope they give you comfort now. Thoughts, prayers and virtual hugs for you and your family.
I’m so sorry to hear of your grandma’s passing but oh what a beautiful and happy long life she had. Remember that and count your blessings. You are all so blessed to have had her.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your dear Grama. What a beautiful lady she was. God bless you and your family, Dawn.
I pray the Lord will comfort you during this time. Thank you so much for sharing. Grama is dancing now!!!!