Monday, June 7, 2010

Disappearances

It has been a week of disappearances, of unexpected happenings, of change. I haven't really come to grips with any of it, so this will be a short post. Just before I left for Ohio last weekend, we got the news that Rick's grandmom, whom we both love dearly, had taken a turn for the worse. It wasn't something unexpected, and she's long been ready to take that next big step; we've always known that her death would be something that we grieved for our own sake, while being glad of it for hers. Rick decided that he was going to drive the girls up on Saturday to see her, and I changed my ticket so that I could fly to San Francisco on Sunday night, instead of back home on Monday (this all happened with the help of both my wonderful SIL, who had to change her plans to get me to the Columbus airport on Sunday, instead of Monday, and my amazing brother, who talked me through changing my tickets). We'd planned to give me a chance to see Grandmom on Monday morning, and then to drive home on Monday evening.

We stayed all week.

We had to leave yesterday to get Rick and the girls home for a week they couldn't miss here. By the time we left, Grandmom had fallen into a coma. She died peacefully in her sleep, at the age of 96, at 4:00 this morning. She spent her last week surrounded by the people who love her.

28 comments:

Jane said...

My thoughts are with you all, treasure those memories, they can never be taken away

Cathy said...

Sor sorry for. Hang on to those memories. Be glad you followed your heart & made all those schedule changes.

Allison said...

I'm sorry for your loss. I'm glad things worked out so that you were able to spend those days with her.

Gwen said...

I'm so sorry. And good that you all were able to stay with her the week.

(hugs)

marit said...

I am so sorry for your loss. So good you could share that last week with her. Hold on to the memories, and take care.

Nana Sadie said...

What a beautiful photo, a great reminder of the strength of family. I'm so sorry, but I'm so glad you were able to be there.

My thoughts are with you and your family...
Blessed Be.
(((hugs))))

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry. Even an expected death is still incredibly hard. My thoughts are with you, Rick, and the girls.

Take care.
Sarah/scienceprincess

Lene Andersen said...

What a beautiful way to go. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Sorry for your loss. I hope she had a good, full life!

Rachel said...

So sorry for your loss.
Hugs

Mary Lou said...

How wonderful to get there and be able to spend that time with her. It is a powerful experience. Sending healing thoughts your way.

AlisonH said...

Oh, honey! I'm so very glad you all got to see her. I'm so sorry you lost her. So glad the memories were made. Hugs to you and your family.

(We made a big trip to take everyone to see my 95-year-old grandmother; she passed after turning 96.)

twinsetellen said...

Such a beautiful scene captured in your photo. I can't help but imagine the joy it would bring your grandmom if she saw it.

Lynne said...

My condolences on your loss. Take time to grieve properly. *hugs*

lori said...

oh.........Jocelyn, I am so sorry for your family's great loss. The bottom photo is amazing, it really says everything. I wish you all the comfort you need to make it through the intense period of grief. It goes on for a very long time, I know; my beloved grandfather died in 1971 and I still have moments of spasm in my chest, from missing him.

hugs

lori said...

i know it's a busy time, jocelyn, but i just passed along an award to you - you'll see it in this post. i really enjoy your blog...

Katie said...

This post was so sweet, I have tears in my eyes. I'm so glad you were able to get your family there to be with her. I am glad her end was peaceful and that she had her loved ones around her. It's never easy to lose someone, but it isn't as difficult when they go like this. I am sorry for your loss.

deirdre said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you all - your picture has left a huge lump in my throat...

FUZZARELLY said...

So sorry for all of you. Hope the girls are taking it well. That photo is wonderful.

elizabeth said...

I'm so sorry for your loss! I was very close to my grandmother and know how hard it is to lose someone you love. I too went to visit her in the hospital and stayed for the week - best decision I ever made. *hugs*

EGunn said...

I'm so glad that you got to visit and celebrate her life one more time. It doesn't make it any easier to say goodbye, but I'm sure it reminded her how much she was loved, and you that she was happy.

Willow said...

I am so sorry! I know how much you loved her; you wrote about her every time you visited the Bay Area. Peace and comfort to you...

Alwen said...

There are some choices, some decisions, that you never regret. It sounds like that week will be one of them.

twinsetjan said...

So, so sorry you've lost her presence...I know you've not lost her spirit though. Know we're with you as you grieve and then as you find strength to celebrate her life.

Bea said...

I'm so so sorry. I'm so glad you got to spend that last bit of time with her though. I know how important that was for both you and for her.

Rachael said...

So sorry for your loss, so glad you were able to spend time with her.

May her memories always bring you joy.

Carrie K said...

Oh no. I thought I'd been keeping tabs on you but I missed this. I'm so sorry to hear about Rick's Grandma. It does sound peaceful but it's always hard.

RobinH said...

So sorry for your loss. May the remembered joy ease the pain of parting.