Friday, January 22, 2010

A Bittersweet Sunday




This Sunday marks the end of an era for my family. My maternal grandmother is moving in with my uncle. She will no longer be living in the house that I knew for most of my life.

Both of my grandfathers are gone. Both of my grandmothers are still here (and I am blessed for that!). My father's mother was moved into a retirement center last year. That was also bittersweet. They had lived in the same house my entire life. I even lived there for 2 years during college (and they never asked for anything in return - truly a blessing). It's weird to not drive there when I go see her. But I am thrilled for her. She has so much to do at her new place. They have crafts and games (she loves to play 42). She stays busy and is happier than I've seen in forever. So I am thankful!

This coming Sunday is moving day for my other grandmother. Her eyesight is failing (macular degeneration) and it's becoming increasingly difficult for her to be on her own. Plus, she's in the country where it can be difficult for a rescue crew to find her house. And crime is on the rise in that area. She's also excited about moving. She won't be alone anymore. For that, I am really happy. I'll miss going to see her in that little country house, but I am thankful that she won't be alone and that she'll be well cared for.

I can still learn a lot from my grandmothers. They are from the Greatest Generation. I am blessed to have them in my life. And I'm doubly blessed that my boys will remember their great-grandmothers.

A funny story: My grandmother that we are helping move on Sunday was going to throw away her wedding clothes! My mom saw them in a black bag and suggested that she put them aside for me. I'm glad she did. I am going to have a quilt made from them :) I can't think of a lovelier keepsake.

15 comments:

  1. What a lovely thought! You'll cherish that quilt for a long time :)

    It sounds like you have a wonderful and loving family!

    Have a great day and weekend ...

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  2. It's so wonderful that you have your grandmothers in your life still!!! Glad that you have family to help care for them also.

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  3. That's a great idea about making the quilt. I'm sure your grandma would think so too. You are blessed to have both of them around!

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  4. I'm so glad she's excited about the move, tht makes things so much easier all round.

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  5. Hi there! Thanks for visiting my blog. My maternal Grandmother is still alive also. She lives in her own trailer on my Mom's property, with my Uncle right there also. She is 95 and still does most everything for herself, but has taken a couple pretty bad falls recently that have given us a scare. She's doing pretty good with her physical therapy though.

    The house that my mom lives in is the one I was born and raised in, so I can understand your attachment to your grandmother's home. Hopefully this will be better for her though, and she will be happy.

    Have a great weekend!
    -Melissa

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  6. Love the quilt idea! My paternal grandmother is still alive. I understand what you mean about her not being in the house anymore. It is definitely a transition. One thing that helped me is still seeing the same pictures and things that were in her home. It's different, yet comforting, all at the same time.

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  7. It is a wonderful blessing that she is embracing the move...it can be so difficult to do what is safest for them when they are not bought into the need. YAY for new beginnings!

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  8. We're just trying to covince my parents to move into a retirement home..for some of the reasons that you mentioned that your grandma enjoys...so far, not much luck...but we'll keep praying. I love the idea of the quilt friom your grandma's things...I wish I had that opportunity!

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  9. You are right, our grandparents were from the Greatest Generation! It sounds like you have a wonderful, close family. That is so cool that your G'mother still had her wedding clothes. . .a quilt is a really neat idea. Have a blessed weekend.

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  10. Wow! That is a lot of change all at once. But it is great that you still have both of your grandmothers. Your family seems to be close.

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  11. Thanks for all of the comments :) Tomorrow is the day and I'm excited about it!

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  12. The quilt is a great idea! What a treasure it will be one day!

    I can understand what you are going through. We had to move my husband's grandmother to a nursing home a few months ago. It was hard but definitely the best thing for everyone. Now, if they can just make her behave herself there, things will be great!

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  13. Ohhh your quilt sounds so special. Do share photos! It's so good that she is happy to move. And so funny she was going to throw her wedding clothes out!

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  14. I'm glad your grandmothers will not be alone. What a great idea to do a quilt. It would be hard to part with stuff like that.

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