Monday, November 8, 2010

The Golden Years are the Hardest


My Grandmother once told me that Getting Old wasn't for sissies. After today I believe her. We met with my Grandmother and discussed her moving in with us. She has a severe eye disease and is losing her eyesight and had a bad scare driving last week. Once she gives up driving she'll lose her independence even more than she already has.
At first she thought we asked her to move in out of pity. This is not the case. Before I met my husband, she and I lived together. When my grandfather passed away, she needed help with the bills and I moved in and stayed with her for years. I really love her and enjoy her company. These past years has been hard on me because I know she's miserable where she's at, so I'm relieved that she's agreed to move in at the first of the year.
The hardest part about today was watching her cry. She told me that she sometimes thinks that she has outlived her usefulness and doesn't want to be a burden on anyone. I hope that after today's talk, she believed my husband and I when we told her differently.
It's going to be my mission to make her feel better about herself. Her remaining years should be happy ones, not miserable and lonely ones. She's been a great grandmother to my sister and I. It's time to give her all the love and acceptance she's always given me all these years.
As you can tell the picture I posted is very old! My Grandmother is wearing the big glasses, I'm in the Cloverdale shirt, mother is beside me. My cousins are in front of Grandmother and me. Ashley is the small one on the bottom. We had some great times back then and it's time to make more good times like those were.

4 comments:

  1. Big hugs and good wishes for your Grandmother! And you and hubby for doing such a great thing for her.

    You're so right about the Golden Years being hard. My mom is in her early 70s and in the early stages of Alzheimer. It's such a sad and frustrating thing!

    Love the pic! :)

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  2. Thank you, Lily:)
    I'm sorry to hear about your mother. If you ever need anything, whether it's a friend to talk to or whatever, I'm here for you. You're a sweet person and a good friend. *Hugs*

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  3. I'm so glad she agreed to move in with you. You'll all be blessed by this decision. *hugs*

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  4. Thanks, Eyre:) We're happy she has decided to move in with us too. We know it'll be an adjustment, but it will be worth it!!

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