The Memorial
I went to Nanny's memorial yesterday. I was more nervous about seeing my grandpa than the memorial itself. I hadn't seen him in over 9 years, and I knew that his dementia had started. I shouldn't have worried at all.
The memorial was very nice. It was for all the people at the nursing home that had died in the past two months. I didn't cry until the chaplain talked of my grandmother's smile. I lost it a little there.
The chaplain's message was one of healing. She talked of grief, and how it was normal. But she reminded us that the people who have left us are not grieving; they are celebrating. They are now without pain, without anger, without the wheelchairs and medicines that bound them here on Earth. She made a great analogy that I will take with me through life. She talked of Thanksgiving, and of the huge feast we will have. But she mentioned that we are only having the appetizer. She said, "Think of all the food we will stuff ourselves stupid with this Thursday. Then imagine how this is only a small appetizer. Those who we are remembering today have the real feast." She talked of us only having the appetizer, but Nanny eating the dessert. I loved the way she explained this. There is no reason for me to be sad that Nanny is gone, because now she is sitting at the BIG table, and she's eating all the dessert she can handle. I will cherish that thought.
Grandpa was better than I expected. When I sat next to him, he had the look of "Who are you?" I then put my hand on his arm and said, "It's okay Grandpa. It's Elizabeth. It's me." He sat and looked into my eyes for a few moments, and then I saw his eyes receive clarity. He said, "You used to be blonde." I had to laugh. We talked about Nanny, about him golfing, about his great grandson, and about me teaching. It was hysterical when out of the blue, he asked, "So have you quit teaching yet?" HA HA. I said, "No Grandpa. No such luck, though Dad would love it if I did." It was so great to visit with him. I wish he were closer so I could be with him more. I am afraid that may have been the last time I see him until we are both sitting at the BIG table, ready for dessert. But what a great dessert it will be.
I hope Nanny is eating a huge piece of cherry pie right now.
The memorial was very nice. It was for all the people at the nursing home that had died in the past two months. I didn't cry until the chaplain talked of my grandmother's smile. I lost it a little there.
The chaplain's message was one of healing. She talked of grief, and how it was normal. But she reminded us that the people who have left us are not grieving; they are celebrating. They are now without pain, without anger, without the wheelchairs and medicines that bound them here on Earth. She made a great analogy that I will take with me through life. She talked of Thanksgiving, and of the huge feast we will have. But she mentioned that we are only having the appetizer. She said, "Think of all the food we will stuff ourselves stupid with this Thursday. Then imagine how this is only a small appetizer. Those who we are remembering today have the real feast." She talked of us only having the appetizer, but Nanny eating the dessert. I loved the way she explained this. There is no reason for me to be sad that Nanny is gone, because now she is sitting at the BIG table, and she's eating all the dessert she can handle. I will cherish that thought.
Grandpa was better than I expected. When I sat next to him, he had the look of "Who are you?" I then put my hand on his arm and said, "It's okay Grandpa. It's Elizabeth. It's me." He sat and looked into my eyes for a few moments, and then I saw his eyes receive clarity. He said, "You used to be blonde." I had to laugh. We talked about Nanny, about him golfing, about his great grandson, and about me teaching. It was hysterical when out of the blue, he asked, "So have you quit teaching yet?" HA HA. I said, "No Grandpa. No such luck, though Dad would love it if I did." It was so great to visit with him. I wish he were closer so I could be with him more. I am afraid that may have been the last time I see him until we are both sitting at the BIG table, ready for dessert. But what a great dessert it will be.
I hope Nanny is eating a huge piece of cherry pie right now.
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