Life

After receiving some alarming news about my grandparents I thought I would spend some time with them yesterday. It was very nice, short, but nice. They are wonderful people. I spent a good portion of my adult life and even my younger years with them; living with them, spending the night, looked after while dad was at school and mom worked....They are more than just my grandparents, they are like another set of parents to me. I have been exceptionally blessed with my family. I have wonderful parents and grandparents, a couple amazing sisters who have overcome quite a bit in their lives and now are raising their precious daughters. I have a pretty cool brother, who doesn't always make good decisions, but he's always had a good heart and great personality. All of my in-laws (brothers, sisters, mothers, father, etc..) are really great people too. I have seriously been blessed. I can't forget my husband. He has put up with more than any man should or even would put up with. He's pretty great too.

Back to the point of my rambling. Spending time with my grandparents made me remember how God has blesses me with these people. My grandfather has not been doing very well for several years. His health has been decreasing, as well as his independence. Last year they were in a serious car accident which caused my grandfather to have another stroke, which severely set him back. He was in and out of nursing homes, because my grandmother had a broken ankle and couldn't take care of him. Justin and I lived with them for a few months after the accident to take care of them. Then we had Home Health Care until my grandmother recovered.

She is all of 5'0 and 110lbs or so. My grandfather is 6'0 or more and down to 150 or so. My grandmother has always cooked and cleaned and ironed his shirts their whole married life. The women took care of the home and the men made the money and major decisions. Well now my grandma does the usual things, makes the decisions, transports my grandpa, helps him in the bathroom (quite a bit), and some how manages to find a little time to do the things she likes to do. She's amazing. I know her life is not what she imagined. I know she gets overwhelmed and a little depressed from time to time. But she will NEVER show it. She has the most upbeat and positive personality I've ever seen.

As I was sitting there yesterday, she was getting ready to give my grandpa a suppository. She had been taking him back and forth to the bathroom since I had been there. For the first time, I realized the kind of woman my grandmother is. She does these things, partially because she feels she has to, but also because that's what she signed up for. For better or worse, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. Which got me thinking, could I do that for Justin. Could I give him a suppository if he needed me to. Could I wipe his bottom, and help him with his daily needs? I love him. I did that for a living at one point. I did that for my grandfather at one time. I know that I have it in me to do that, but I couldn't imagine actually HAVING to do that for Justin. I can't imagine what it's like to lose the future you have imagined with your spouse. I can't imagine what it's like to lose the one person who has always been constant and half of you, your entire life. I know that I COULD do whatever was necessary to take care of Justin. I know that I WOULD do whatever is necessary, but I still can't imagine ever having to. It's scary. My grandma is absolutely amazing. I can only pray that I have a fraction of her strength and determination as I get older.

Life continuously changes. Never take the people you claim to care about for granted. Hold them close, tell them you love them, and appreciate their strengths. You can even appreciate their flaws, those are what make them different from you.