To My Grandparents, with Love
I just came back from visiting friends and family in Toronto this past week. On the plane ride home, I heard the song "Ellsworth" by Rascal Flatts. I started to tear up as the lyrics "Grandma burned the biscuits, nearly took the house down with it" made me think of events that are occurring to my grandparents right now.
I love to write, and thought I would share what has been going on in my heart over the past week. I went to visit my grandparents, and my grandpa told me how my grandma had been leaving pots on the stove and forgetting they were on. The fire department recently came to their house, as one of the pots set off the fire alarm. She has been diagnosed with Alzheimers, and the family is debating whether she should go into long-term care. It is such a hard decision to make. Putting her in long-term care means that she would have to leave her home of almost sixty years.
It is hard for me to hear others focus only on my grandma's declining health, as her special personality and loving spirit are still there. I saw this on Sunday when I was with her. She is still as beautiful as ever!
I have been blessed with four grandparents(three surviving) who have made it into their mid-to late eighties; my grandma turns 90 next week. Hopefully, they will all have many years to come. They have inspired me and encouraged me to go after my dreams and to be the young woman I am today. To them I send a million times over: THANK YOU and LOVE YOU!!!!
When I was telling my Grandpa this past weekend about the life decisions I'm making, he responded very wisely and said, "You are lucky to have those decisions to make." I think the same thing of him and all my grandparents. They are all lucky to have had the experiences they had (blessings and misfortunes) and to have made it to where they did.
I can only wish that my life turns out as grand. I want to get married to my best friend and grow old with him. Raise a family together and be able to see and be a strong presence in my grandchildren's lives. Travel the world and meet new people. Still be driving and maintaining my house in my eighties. Most of all though, following my passion.
It will be a sad time when all of my grandparents leave this world, but their legacy will live on in the lives they have touched; their memories will not be forgotten.
All I can say is that I'm so glad I developed a love for photography, so I can keep the memories alive. In the end, I have realized that presence is more important than the presents they give us. I would much rather have my grandparents around than be focusing on what they are leaving for me. Love you all so much!!!! I hope you know how much you mean to me.
Thank you for reading and your presence at this beach retreat. You Rock! I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts in the comment section below.
See you at the beach!