She is lying there with tubes coming and going from her nose, arms and legs. Rag on her head and eyes shut. Arms and stomach swollen. But, she’s looking better than the day before. She opens her eyes and says, “Hi, how’s Brittany?” Yeah, this has been my greeting for the last 17 years. She recognizes me! She wasn't awake for long. Meanwhile, I visited with my Aunt and shortly thereafter my Dad. Grandma woke up at asked for a "nice bowl of ice cream". My Aunt asked if she'd like water instead and without missing a beat Grandma said quietly, "well that isn't ice cream, now, is it?" She planted the seed and took the water. Shortly thereafter, my Uncle showed up with Grandpa. Grandpa - he's 98 and other than a hearing aid his body is still just fine. But, his mind is finally going...yeah, we have some longevity in our genes! He seemed so confused. 
He sees her and loves floods his face. He goes over kisses her and sits down. Sadness envelopes him... she just came into the hospital for a hip operation, why all the tubes, why is she sleeping so much? When she stirs, he asks her if she’s going to sleep all day. His hope is shushed by my Dad. Sadness and confusion returns to his face. Why is he not allowed to speak to his wife? He tries to follow the conversation, as it bounces about the room. But his poor hearing and lack of recognition of faces makes it difficult. They all know each other but who is this somewhat familiar face. I smile at him and he gives me a big grin. So, I go over, sit with him and hold his hand.
We left to visit mom shortly thereafter. After lunch with mom, Lyn and I went back to the hospital. This time my other Aunt is there. Good, this one can be bribed! We told her we'd let her have the rest of the ice cream we smuggled in for grandmom if she promised to not tell anyone. Yeah, yeah, yeah...let me tell you all the times grandma gave us ice cream when she wasn't supposed to! Plus, it was my sister’s idea. All I did was smuggle it into the room in my purse and stand guard to be sure the nurses weren't around. So, my sis gives her couple spoons of the nice bowl of ice cream and gave the rest to Auntie as hush money. Then, she and I sit and chat quietly for awhile. Of course it wasn't long before I got the do you have a boyfriend? question that my single sisters get so pissed off about. I laugh... that’s my response to most of the absurd questions my family ask me and say, "nah, not in the cards for me right now." And there was my grandma to defend me (as she has done my whole life). "well don't you be in any hurry, sweet heart." She was awake, lucid and ready to dish out some advice. I told her that was good advice. She said, "You take your time until you find the right one. And, if you make sure you have your own money, you don't have to marry him if you don't want to." This from the devout Roman Catholic ninety-five year old who we all believe should be nominated for saint status...as close to from the mouth of God as possible...don't you think? "Of course grandma." She smiled and then added, "But be careful, boys are only after one thing." My rotten little sister can't contain herself, "What's that Grandma." I almost knocked her off the chair and grandma just smiled. I said, "It's to cook for them, right?" And she agreed. I wish I could have taped that whole last conversation we had so I can replay it over and over again.
The next few visits I found her sleeping peacefully, morphine doing it’s job. During my last visit before I had to return to MD, I prayed for her, kissed her on the forehead and made the sign of the cross, as she has done for me many, many times before. I have to praise God that he gave me the time to talk to Grandma. Just a few minutes with her where she knew I had come to see her. It was all I had hoped and prayed for.
He sees her and loves floods his face. He goes over kisses her and sits down. Sadness envelopes him... she just came into the hospital for a hip operation, why all the tubes, why is she sleeping so much? When she stirs, he asks her if she’s going to sleep all day. His hope is shushed by my Dad. Sadness and confusion returns to his face. Why is he not allowed to speak to his wife? He tries to follow the conversation, as it bounces about the room. But his poor hearing and lack of recognition of faces makes it difficult. They all know each other but who is this somewhat familiar face. I smile at him and he gives me a big grin. So, I go over, sit with him and hold his hand.
We left to visit mom shortly thereafter. After lunch with mom, Lyn and I went back to the hospital. This time my other Aunt is there. Good, this one can be bribed! We told her we'd let her have the rest of the ice cream we smuggled in for grandmom if she promised to not tell anyone. Yeah, yeah, yeah...let me tell you all the times grandma gave us ice cream when she wasn't supposed to! Plus, it was my sister’s idea. All I did was smuggle it into the room in my purse and stand guard to be sure the nurses weren't around. So, my sis gives her couple spoons of the nice bowl of ice cream and gave the rest to Auntie as hush money. Then, she and I sit and chat quietly for awhile. Of course it wasn't long before I got the do you have a boyfriend? question that my single sisters get so pissed off about. I laugh... that’s my response to most of the absurd questions my family ask me and say, "nah, not in the cards for me right now." And there was my grandma to defend me (as she has done my whole life). "well don't you be in any hurry, sweet heart." She was awake, lucid and ready to dish out some advice. I told her that was good advice. She said, "You take your time until you find the right one. And, if you make sure you have your own money, you don't have to marry him if you don't want to." This from the devout Roman Catholic ninety-five year old who we all believe should be nominated for saint status...as close to from the mouth of God as possible...don't you think? "Of course grandma." She smiled and then added, "But be careful, boys are only after one thing." My rotten little sister can't contain herself, "What's that Grandma." I almost knocked her off the chair and grandma just smiled. I said, "It's to cook for them, right?" And she agreed. I wish I could have taped that whole last conversation we had so I can replay it over and over again.
The next few visits I found her sleeping peacefully, morphine doing it’s job. During my last visit before I had to return to MD, I prayed for her, kissed her on the forehead and made the sign of the cross, as she has done for me many, many times before. I have to praise God that he gave me the time to talk to Grandma. Just a few minutes with her where she knew I had come to see her. It was all I had hoped and prayed for.
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