Saying Goodbye

My husband's grandmother is 93 years old. Grandma Jerry has lived in her own apartment until about 4 months ago when she had to go to assisted living. About a week ago Grandma fell in her assisted living apartment and hit her head on a glass coffee table. She was rushed to the hospital and an MRI was done. The doctors discovered a spot where there was blood on her brain. The doctor said that he could do surgery but Grandma would probably not make it through the surgery. Grandma said she did not want the surgery and they sent her home. The doctor said that she could live for a long time if the bleeding did not get worse.

This morning at 6:30 we got a phone call saying Grandma had been rushed to the hospital because she was having pain. As the doctors were taking care of her, she just went to sleep. An immediate MRI was done of her head and there was more blood on her brain and it had started to swell. The doctor said he didn't think she'd make it through the day. This afternoon Grandma was transferred back to the nursing facility and put in the hospice area. Since she has a living will and a DNR, she is now on end of life care.

Steve and Stephany were with Grandma most of the day. I was going over at noon but since they were transferring her to hospice I waited until this evening. Steve and I went over about 6:30 so I could say goodbye. It is always so hard because when you walk in the room the person just doesn't look like themselves. Grandma just looked so small and frail in that hospital bed. I leaned over to whisper in her ear, hoping that she could hear me tell her how much I love her and thanking her for welcoming me into her family 20 years ago. Then I told her to just rest and let go - that it was time for her to go be with Jesus and Grandpa Chet. Steve and I joined hands over her bed and each of us put a hand on her shoulder as we prayed. It was a sweet time of saying goodbye to a lady that has brought so much love and joy into our lives.

As we were leaving I thought about how death can be a peaceful thing. When you're a Christian you know that death isn't the end - it's only the beginning. For me, it makes it easier to say goodbye to a loved one. The tears are still there and so is the sorrow but there is peace. I shall miss my talks with Grandma but I know that we will only be separated for a short time. One day we will have eternity to have talks!!