I have always considered myself so blessed to have become part of my husband's family. And after 33+ years I can honestly say I considered his grandma to be my own. She immediately accepted me into this crazy family and treated me just like one of her grandkids.
One year ago this month, grandma decided it was time to leave this mountain and the place that she called home for the last seventy plus years. She decided it was time to move to Harrison and into an assisted living facility. Maplewood Esplanade appears to be a wonderful place; new, pretty, small apartment sized rooms where you have assistance performing what most of us would consider the simple daily tasks of living. Grandma said she was tired of cooking, cleaning, and washing clothes and wanted/needed the help. She certainly didn't want to become a burden on any of her family. But I personally think she always thought of this place as a place where people to go die. It simply was not home to her.
For the last few months she has been losing blood which leaves her feeling weak, tired, and not good. However, after a transfusion she perks back up and is ready to go for another month or so. But in addition to this, her heart is also giving out. She has a heart valve that continues to weaken. Grandma is tired. She has made the decision the she does not want to continue these treatments and prolong the inevitable; therefore, this week Hospice was called. They will be caring for grandma over the next few weeks/months as well as guiding/helping the family.
The first several years of my marriage, Grandma Opal would ALWAYS, every week, prepare Sunday dinner after church for four families, that was 15 people! The three Parker boys and our three kiddos, all very young, made for some very loud and exhausting family dinners. But we were together and enjoyed each other and made wonderful memories. Grandma loved flowers! When passing by, one would often see her out in the yard working in one of her many flower beds. Of course, that work then called for a period of rest in the swing, on the front porch, with Grandpa. Each of them always greeting those that passed by with a wave. Grandma also loved to crochet! Each of her grand children, have a crocheted tablecloth and each great grandchild has a crocheted afghan. Oh my goodness, and I couldn't forget the Easter egg hunts we have had there! What fun memories. That house was so full of love. I only have one sister and my parents were not close with their brothers and sisters so I never really knew what it was like to have big family gatherings. I loved it when family would come in from Texas for the holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas were especially busy times at grandma's house. Grandma always kept Little Debbie cakes and soda in her refrigerator and popsicles in her freezer. Oh and the bubble gum in the cabinet. I love to listen to my husband's stories of his favorite memoires of his childhood.
It saddens me greatly to think what our family is going to have to endure over the next few weeks/months. But family is planning on coming in within the next week and a half to visit with Grandma and I do look forward to seeing everyone. I am sure there will be conversations and stories told of favorite memories at Grandma's house.
Grandma is 96. She has a wonderful family that loves her dearly! Three children and their spouses, seven grand children, and five spouses, 13 great grandchildren, with ten spouses, and nine great-great grandchildren. She is such a prayer warriors and woman of God. I am so proud of the family legacy she and grandpa have left for our family. I was visiting with her the other day and her bible was lying on the table between us. The pages were dog-eared and very well worn. I asked her how many times she has read the bible through. She said she didn't know, it was too many to count! She went on to say that she used to read the bible to her kids. That was their storybook! I have been trying to read the bible through for years! I start out in January, every year, and usually only make it through to February. I admire this great woman that we call Grandma.
