My Nana came from a big family. There were 5 kids total! My Great Uncle Thomas was the oldest, followed by my Nana, then my Great Aunt Mary whom we lovingly called Granny, then my Great Aunt Janet and the baby, my Great Uncle Bobby. My great Aunts and Uncles are some of the greatest people I have even known. Loving, kind, caring and funny. It’s easy to see how my Nana fit into this family.
My Great Uncle Thomas passed away unexpectedly in his 50’s due to a heart attack. I was only 3 and have vague memories of me riding on his shoulders. He was a gentle giant and the sweetest, kindest brother you could ever want according to my Nana. His early death was a great loss to my family.
My Granny lived right down the street from my grandparents and she was just as involved in my life as my grandparents. Every birthday, holiday, big life achievement, birth of our children she was there. She never married and never had kids of her own. She always thought of our mother as her child and of course of my sister and I as her grandkids.
Years, I tell you what fly by with the blink of an eye! I am about to be 40 next year and I can’t even wrap my head around that fact. I mean I remember when my mom turned 40. So insane. My grandparents and my great aunts and uncles are supposed to be invincible and just live forever. I remember when my mom was sick and battling cancer she said she always hoped she would go to heaven first because she didn’t think she would be able to handle watching everyone else leave this earth. It would be too hard on her. At the time I thought she was crazy, why would you say that? As I get older and must watch my loved ones get older, and see their health decline I understand what she means!
In July of 2012 my Granny’s health really started to decline. Her heart was weak, she had had some heart attacks as well and her kidneys were failing. We decided to bring her home on hospice care and less than a week later she went to heaven. Losing her was very hard. She was my Nana’s very best friend and confident. They rode to work together for 30 years.
Watching Nana’s health decline has been the hardest one on me. She is my very best friend and has been since the day I was born. We have always had such a strong bond that is unbreakable. The love I have for her knows no bounds and I will have such a horrible void in my heart when I no longer have her here on earth. My Paw-Paw as well although right at this very moment his health is pretty good!
My Great Aunt Janet is getting older as well but so far doing ok. She has some health issues and is living in Texas now where some of her children are. It’s sad that she is not close by to my Nana but they talk on the phone when they can.
Last year my Great Aunt Wanda drove my Great Uncle Bobby down to my house so he could see my grandmother. His health was OK at that point and I am so glad that they could come. It made my Nana so happy and my Uncle as well. Unfortunately, time is never on your side.
Over the course of the last couple of months my Uncle’s health really started to decline. My Aunt kept us posted on his condition. My sister drove up to where they live so she could see him. I am glad she did because she was able to call my Nana so she could talk to him one last time. Hospice was called in for him and they kept him in the hospital, which from our experience with hospice that means they think death is imminent. Sure, enough yesterday morning my sister got the text from our Aunt that he had passed away.
My sister came over early in the morning so that we could tell our Nana in person. It was hard to have to tell her and watch the sadness come across her face. Pretty sure the stokes she has had has made it impossible for her to cry as I am sure she would have been bawling. Her face said it all.
From 5, now there are only 2 left. I think God every day for the days we have left with my grandparents and my great Aunt Janet. Time is fleeting by. To quote one of my favorite songs “Tell that Someone that You Love, just What You’re Thinking of if Tomorrow never comes.”
RIP Uncle Bobby, until we meet again at those pearly gates!
Daily Elder Care 