I am your Granddaughter

I know that my face may not be as familiar as it was yesterday
and your bed may be foreign to you as well
But I will make sure that you have what you need when you need it
At least I will do my best
I know I cannot ask you to be patient with me..
I will just have to tell myself to try and have more patience
We are both far from perfect but we are family whether you remember or not..but that’s ok
I love you regardless and will be here for you as long as I possibly can
Who am I you ask?
I am the one who tucks you in at night
The one who helps you change
I am the one who gets you tissue when you seem to need it
I am the one who watches out for you
It is not just me but my husband and your great grandkids…
We all watch over you and care for you…and we love you and laugh with you...just as you are
I have not always been here…but I am here now Grandma
Who am I?
I am your Granddaughter.
Your words echo in the walls of this old house Grandma…and I listen to them
They say to keep my eyes focused on our Provider…to not lose hope and sight of who He is
Your eyes and your body may be tired…but your spirit is strong.
Thank you for laying the foundation…
Even though now you look at me with questions in your eyes
I am your granddaughter.

All I need

A bit of sugar in my tea
keeps me sweet

Light by my bed at night
so I can read

A hug from time to time
tells me that you love me

A few words shared
encourages me

Simply smiling as you pass by
helps my heart feel free

it used to be

it used to be that grandma would close the long curtains once the sun went down over the hill

it used to be that grandma would wake up before the sun and make a cup of tea and start her day by praying for the ones she loves

it used to be that grandma loved to pick up her violin and play a sweet melody to match those of the birds

it used to be that grandma loved to paint and sketch the beauty she saw around her

it used to be that she could tell me the stories of all the wonderful places she's travelled with grandpa

it used to be...

it used to be..that she knew my name

it used to be..but not anymore..she has forgotten

but thats ok..because I have not..

she is still my grandma

Becky is coming!

This morning, in anticipation and excitement of her grandma (my mom), coming to visit, my five year old Beka tells her great-grandma that Becky is coming for a visit!

I find it amazing that even so young, she has learned to adapt how she communicates with her great-grandma. She hears me talk to her and about my mom and I will reference her by her first name because for me to just say 'my mom' would not be clear to her. So without me explaining that to the kids, they have done the same.

I have talked with the kids about their great-grandma and they understand her situation. They try as best as kids can to communicate with her. But I find myself in the background like a fly on the wall, ready to swoop down and interject at a moments notice.

But today...I sat back..amazed that my five year could communicate so clearly with her.

Team Work

A while ago my husband and Grandma had a conversation. Since my husband is hard of hearing and when he takes of his hearing aid...he hears nothing. And my grandma with her Alzheimers has a hard time remembering things or keeping her focus sometimes on what she was saying or doing.

So they came to an agreement...

she would be his ears and he could be her brain!

Sounds like good teamwork to me!

Ode to Grandma

Oh grandma how I love thee...
Let me count thy ways

Let me start witht the three times you have changed your clothes,
before lunch
And only one of them matched..
the one that I picked

The two times you asked me where your glasses are today
and the other five times you said you don't need them anymore

Then there are the ten books by your bed
And the eleven magazines by your chair
And three more books you are reading...but not now

The thirty minutes it takes you to eat half your plate,
boy you must be digesting well

All the pretty necklaces you love to wear,
although some around your neck
And maybe one ends up in your hair

The three times you must tinkle
before we are on our way out the door..sigh

So many stories you have told me from the past
And all of them I have heard at least five times,
I can fill in the blanks when you've lost the words

Oh grandma there are so many ways,
too numerous to share

What can I possibly learn from you?
Maybe to appreciate life day by day
and even minute by minute

And after counting how I love thee,
what does it add up to and what does it mean?

It means that I love you
and I know you need me

But more than that, I need you...
because with all your quirks grandma
you make me smile
and that is a very great thing

And I am not afraid anymore