Monday, August 29, 2011

Saying goodbye when you're not prepared

Sunday morning I got a phone call I did not expect. It was about 8am, I was dozing in front of Nick Jr, hoping my girls didn't destroy anything while I nodded off. Matt's phone was beside me on the windowsill and started to ring.

Matt's phone never rings on Sunday morning.

I picked it up and saw that it was my sister. And a sense of dread hit me. My sister Havalah lives in Phoenix. Which meant she was calling me at 5 in the morning. That could only mean one thing.

Something was wrong.

And I was right.

My paternal grandmother passed away suddenly from a pulmonary embolism (clot from the lung). We knew she was in the hospital dealing with an infection in her leg. But we had no idea it was so serious. It was completely unexpected. Perhaps not for everyone, but it was for me.

My grandmother - Doris Mears - was 78. She lived 9 years and 2 months without my grandfather Bob who went to be with the Lord in 2002. She leaves behind three children and their partners, twelve grandchildren and their partners, 5 great-grandchildren, several babies in utero, and several grand/great-grand babies are waiting to greet her in Heaven.

My most vivid memories of my grandmother are of her days caring for the elderly in her home. She and my grandfather did in-home care for the elderly. At every family gathering there were extra "greats" at the table. She worked from sun-up to sun-down caring for them. She loved them and treated them with respect. Many of them - like Margaret and Bill - became beloved members of our family because they spent so many years with us.

Love you G.G.

8 comments:

  1. So sorry for your loss.
    Sounds like she had a good, God filled life.
    She will be waiting for you and Joshua will be in her arms !

    God Blessings to you and yours.

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  2. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Your grandma sounds like a wonderful lady.

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  3. I am so sorry for your loss. Im praying for you.

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  4. Oh, I got chills reading this. So so sorry for your loss. We are recovering from the loss of my grandmother a few months ago. It stings, it's painful. She certainly sounds as if she left a beautiful legacy for you and a beautiful family to continue on through the generations.

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  5. I am so sorry to hear. Calls like that are very hard. Sounds like a very loved woman.

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  6. Hope you are all ok and safe from the flooding in your area.
    We have family in Lancaster and friends in Williamsport.
    If you can please post and let us know.

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  7. Hope you and your family are safe from the flooding that Lee brought to your area. We have family and friends in Lancaster and Williamsport. They are safe.

    Please let us know that you guys are.

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