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Saying goodbye to Granny
Oct. 31st, 2013 06:18 amSo I was down to visit the parents last weekend, and stopped in to visit my 98-year-old grandmother at the nursing home where she has a room. (She's either 97 or 98, I never can remember which—not that it makes much difference overall. She is actually the daughter of a Civil War veteran, a Union soldier who had her when he was about 80 himself.) My Dad took her for a walk around the block in her wheelchair. And though she doesn't have much money now, she nonetheless managed to give me a $5 bill, which I certainly couldn't politely refuse and for which I thanked her effusively.
It only just occurred to me that, since I'm moving to Indianapolis now and have no easy way of getting back here for visits, that may very well have been the last time I ever saw her alive. That's kind of a sobering thought. She's the only grandparent I have left, and as such has been in my life ever since I've had my life.
( Memories of Granny )
It kind of feels, I don't know, like I didn't properly get to say goodbye. If it had struck me at the time that this might be the last time I would get to see her, I might have done something different, said something different. But then, Granny's so frail now anyway that perhaps the knowledge I'm leaving might be an unpleasant shock. So maybe it's best that my possible last living memory of her is of her kindness to a grandson, and that grandson's thanks.
It only just occurred to me that, since I'm moving to Indianapolis now and have no easy way of getting back here for visits, that may very well have been the last time I ever saw her alive. That's kind of a sobering thought. She's the only grandparent I have left, and as such has been in my life ever since I've had my life.
( Memories of Granny )
It kind of feels, I don't know, like I didn't properly get to say goodbye. If it had struck me at the time that this might be the last time I would get to see her, I might have done something different, said something different. But then, Granny's so frail now anyway that perhaps the knowledge I'm leaving might be an unpleasant shock. So maybe it's best that my possible last living memory of her is of her kindness to a grandson, and that grandson's thanks.
