Merry Christmas Eve!
Whew. It has been a bit of a hectic holiday so far. My grandfather has had colon cancer for the past 8 or so years and despite chemo and radiation it just kept coming back and now it simply won't be contained. He has been given days to weeks to live. We had our last Pop-Pop's Christmas party with him and said our good-byes. He is now in hospice care up in South Carolina. Pop-Pop has been very influential in my life from the moment I was born and I suppose in some ways I was too. He is my mom's stepdad but more like a father figure than even her own biological dad. His wife, MeMa, my mom's mom, was only 35 when I came into their world to make them grandparents for the first time. They took me on camping trips and we spent many a Sunday dinner playing card games. My last surviving grandmother, Ma, my father's mom, has been failing too. She recently has been admitted into a nursing home after numerous falls in her house. I have grown up with all my grandparents living lose in proximity and close to the heart, which is now rather sore.
The holidays have lost some of their vibrancy.
But there have been some nice moments. Some visits and hugs and cleansing tears. Today is the first day I have had a moment to sit on the couch in my pajamas with coffee and an open schedule. I will be wrapping gifts, baking, cleaning and catching up on the blog and a few episodes of Big Dreams, Small Spaces. What are you doing today?
I'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather and your grandmother. I'm sending love at this difficult time. I am glad that you have some time to breathe today. We're going to be packing and trying to get organized for our move today and all this week. We have no Christmas anything around us, but I did get to Costco on Sat to stock up on easy and yummy food, and there will be Christmas shows on in the background while I work. I cannot complain, that is for sure. <3 I read a piece this morning when I first got up that was an excellent reminder about what is truly important in our lives, and it's not the trappings of the holiday. Being with loved ones and taking stock in our fortune is priceless.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nancy. Paddling through this heartache has definitely reminded me of what is important too. I like that you are enjoying the season in a new way too. I keep watching your FB and timeline to see how the moving is going. Cheering for you! And I hope you have a beautiful birthday. May 2019 be a great new adventure for you and yours and those cute pups. <3
DeleteI only ever knew my maternal grandma, and I was very close to her. I was 25 when she died. :( Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteI'm just not feeling it for Christmas this year. Like, at all. Tree is up, presents are bought, all that stuff...but it still feels like just another day. The boys will come over here tomorrow but beyond that we're not going anywhere or getting together with any other family.
Even so, Merry Christmas to you and yours!
~Deb
Grandma's are the best. I am trying to rest in the fact that they have been surrounded by many loved ones and lead full lives. Both are in their mid to late 80's.
DeleteThis year was different. It was a rush, rush, rush and go, go, go for two weeks straight and then it was quiet time at home for Christmas Eve and then today on Christmas. I like that today is chill though. We have The Hobbit on and I am going to watch my Christmas birbs that are visiting (more goldfinches!!!) and then maybe try to work on my Best of 2018 post.
Hoping today is nice for you. We only get so many Christmas mornings. Relaxing ones are nice.
Merry Christmas my dear friend.
Relax, enjoy the holidays and thank you for sharing those warm moments with us. My last grandma left us a couple of years ago (she was almost 96), and I still miss our daily talks on the phone. And holidays are usually the worst reminders of those who we miss. But it’s also a good chance to talk about them with others, which otherwise we do not do often in day-to-day life.
ReplyDeleteHappy holidays to you and your family!
Thank you. <3 You are right. There is some modicum of solace in being able to talk about our past loved ones with others. Like sharing a piece of their love and life and sowing it into unexpected places. My Pop-Pop just passed away this morning and I find myself thinking of him tremendously today. Your grandmother sounds like a faithful and beautiful lady. I love that you had daily chats with her. <3 May they both be on a beautiful journey somewhere.
DeleteHappy holidays
Hello to your furry friend, beautiful photos. I'm so sorry about your grandpa and grandma's declining health. You are fortunate to have had them in your life as long as you have, but it doesn't make it much easier to say goodbye. I hope you can take solace in this last holiday and hold those memories close forever<3
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right. I have been very blessed by them. I hope you are doing well. I miss you. Time to try and step out of the bubble if I can.
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