On March 25, 2006 My granny Mauck, my dad, & me took a trip to Morriston, In. We were in search of something very speical for my granny. It had been 75 years since she last saw it. The whole trip was based on her memory of her at 4 years old. With only ONE wrong turn, I heard from the back seat of my car, "There it is," said Granny in her soft unbelieving voice. There before us was the very house she was born in. The Tull family invited us in and Granny told her memories of the house and why they had to move. That was the one thing she had so looked forward to was to see her old house again. The barn in the back was still painted red, the chicken house was still there and an old cistern she played in was still there. I can't tell you what it was like sitting there beside her with her eyes completely lit.
Summer of 2006 came along and Granny turned ill. She was retaining a lot of water and had problems of moving around.
September 2006, Granny was rushed to the doctor on her 80th birthday only to discover she had walking pneumonia and congestive heart failure. Two weeks later she was released and her health was improving everyday.
Thanksgiving 2006 was the biggest mistake of my life. I called Granny to see if she wanted to spend the holiday with us. She was so happy and excited to, and then I informed her it was with my mom's parents and she quickly refused. I reluently gave in and hung up the phone. After the meal, my dad gathered up a plate of food for her and him with my brother & sister in tow, they went to visit her. I stayed behind because I'm lazy, selfish and ignorent. That was the last opportunity I could've had to see her alive.
Dec. 15, 2006 I got a phone call at work. My sister informed me that Granny passed away.
SO, my task is to everyone who reads this remember the elderly on the holidays. They are still human to and should not be forgotten. God has said/written for us many times to take care of the widows and elderly. I failed. I have lived almost two years with this knowledge of not being there with my grandma when I should have. Don't do the same as me.
I know what you mean. My aunt was a funny little bird that never married and acted a bit weird. None of us nephews and neices were very nice to her yet she left her farm to me and my brother. I still regret laughing at her behind her back after all these years. Kids can be so cruel.
What a bittersweet story. You are not alone in your regret--many people have a similar tale to tell.
My grama is 93 years old and in ever-failing health. She lives in a nursing home 100 miles away from me. I have 2 teenagers and an impossibly busy schedule, not of my own making. It has been too long since I've seen Grams. Thank you for the reminder! I hope you will not beat yourself up for this, and learn from it. If you don't have elderly relatives at this point, find an older person at church to dote on and care for. You will be so glad you did!
I'm so blessed with a family in Christ around me. I fell ill on saturday nightish. Though I wasn't feeling to well, we recieved a phone call from Star saying that since she was there at the building that she would go a head and clean it saturday. I was just waiting for dad to get off work then we'd both meet at the building to clean, but this was an unexpected surprise and blessing. Then sunday, the full illness started taking it's effect. Since I couldn't make it to service that night, I got the cutest phone call from Jay & Ben Cook - through their dad's help. It was the sweetest thing I've ever heard and am very thankful for Kelly & Julie and their children. Then monday came along. I forced myself to work and all day long the fever increased and my voice decreased. Around 1ish I got a phone call from Elizabeth Shearer. She was seeing how I was doing and such. I in formed her that I was going to go home early. Well, my boss took a little longer in his errands and I finally lefted at 3:30ish when I normally leave at 5. Well, I'm tight on money to the point I'm over drawn at the moment, so I had to humbly do the worst thing possible. I had to go ask mom for some money so I could get something to eat. It's horrible, I felt horrible when I know everyone else does the same thing and they're tight on money and such. But my stomach out weighted my guilt and I arrived at the daycare to see Elizabeth was there with Haelley. She had taken her time and enegry to be so thoughtful and caring to get me a gift. She bought me puff kleenex's with Vicks; Halls cough drops, chapstick, and two cans of Campbells chicken noodle soup. It was by far one of the sweetest and kindest acts I've ever seen or experienced. Let's just say I'm trying out the kleenex's & cough drops today. I'm truly blessed with those who are living like Christ around me. I could never express how thankful I am for all of them.
I just went back and read through your posts about Flash. I am just sick that someone would do that. Grateful that Flash is continuing to improve! Dogs are a gift from God--their unwavering love and constant companionship are treasures to me.
You're welcome and I'm SO SORRY to hear about what happened to your dog. I'll never know how a person can be cruel like that. So glad to hear that the dog is healing, though.
Re the money for food thing: Read the last couple of entries of her blog--it's a continuation of a story, so you need to start a couple of entries back. I think you will appreciate it. She is a very special lady.
