Young or old, don't forget them!

Yesterday I got off from work early enough to see Maw-Maw in the nursing home. She is doing ok now. I guess she had broken a hip and during that time something else had happened. I don't remember now. But she almost died. She came very close. Too close. A couple years ago she had broken the other hip. She said it had healed much faster than the left one. She is eighty-nine now. I sat with her for two hours. I missed her allot. My grandma Vera was put in that very nursing home before she passed away.

I had a dream not to long ago about Maw-Maw and her house. I was in her house and her family was moving her stuff out. The house was getting emptier and emptier. I cried in my dream. It all reminded me of the ever changing world. My world. Everyone's world. You know. People's lives. From childhood to adulthood. Events in our lives that leave behind bitter-sweet memories. Things we wish we could experience once more. Maybe even forever. Happy moments in our lives. Perhaps things we may have taken for granted. I think we each have a memory or memories like that. But of course, if we had stayed in those moments, then we would never get to experience other great and happy moments in out lives. Creating more precious memories.

The dream made me realize how important it was that I visit Maw-Maw. Even more so now that her time is getting short. Of course no one knows when they will pass away. Anything could happen. Sad but true. Maw-Maw has four generations of grandchildren. That is a rich blessing for anyone her age. She has many relatives and friends. Such as I, that love her dearly. She is even like a grandmother to me.

I didn't go and see grandma Vera after she was put in the nursing home. I wish I had. I should have. There she was. So close by. I could have. I really could have. But I didn't. Why? I was afraid to. She wasn't the same. She got worst with each passing day. Her mind wasn't her own anymore. It was somebody else's. Someone's from long ago. When dad was three. Or five. When grandpa was dad's age. She didn't know who we were. She could only bring up the past and replace everyone with those she knew long ago. Until it got to the point when she couldn't recognize anyone. She couldn't talk. She couldn't even feed herself.

The last time I saw grandma Vera she could talk to us but she really didn't know us. I am sure at some time or another she must have known. The thought had to of come. Or so I really hope it had. But I doubt it. I only know how she gotten worst by other family members that weren't cowards such as I. That had gone and seen her like loyal family member should. They made time to see her. Even once a week. Why hadn't I? I wish I had. Now she is gone. But her memory lives on in my heart. I hope one day I may see her again. That is all I have, is hope. But it is a strong hope.

I understand I am not the only one who misses grandma Vera. My dad misses her allot. He even catches himself calling her or getting up early to go down to her house, the way he use to. Even though she had been in the nursing home for four years. There is another person that misses grandma Vera. As I am sure many other family members and friends. This one in particular really touches my heart. Gavyn is only eight. The time he had gotten to visit grandma Vera was so short. But often my dad had taken him to see her, and then again with Amy. He remembers her but not like I do. Or like dad does, or even mom. He remembers her. I am not sure what it is that he remembers. But the only memory I am sure of is, grandma Vera in the nursing home. To me it is a dark and depressing one. But to him it is all he knows. All he knows. I have to remember that it is her being there, alive. That is what is important. He got to know her. Not like I had. Going to her house and talking to her about the past, her past. (I wish I had more moments with her like that than I had.) Or talking to her about school. I even mowed her lawn. So did Amy at one point before I was of age. Gavyn got to know grandma Vera by the only way he could. Maybe it wasn't pretty. Life isn't always pretty. It it what you take out of it sometimes. The things that you make use of your time. Gavyn had gotten to know grandma Vera and in that short time he loved her. He misses her now. I think he wishes he had known her even better. Known her like we had known her. Or like dad and uncle Bobby knew her. Or perhaps even like grandpa Kimmey knew her.

I was at Amy's yesterday. I saw on her kitchen counter top a paper. It was 'jump for your heart' paper. They had it when I was in school. You went around collecting donations for it and then jumped rope at school. On the paper it said, "In Honor Of ______. Gavyn had put grandma Vera. He wrote it in all on his own. From his heart. I was touched by it.

So now I am making it a point to see Maw-Maw every chance I get. Or I shall make the time to go and see her. Right now she is in the nursing home. I think it is much easier for me to see her there. Not that I want her to stay there. I do want her to get well. Of course it might be best she did stay there where she has nurses to look after her. But she wants to go home badly. As most of elderly people do after being put in a nursing home. I will make it a point however, to go and see her wherever she may be.

As for my grandparents. I see my grandparents on my mom's side allot. I am very thankful for that. We are making up for lost time. They love having me over on Wednesdays. I even get to have dinner with them on other days. They have commented on how no one visits them anymore except me. I am sad that that may be true. But I am glad I do get the chance to visit them more now than ever.

I should really keep better touch with my grandparents on my dad's side. I don't hardly call them even. I have called them in the past on occasion but then I forget about them. That is terrible. I really mean to keep in touch. A matter of fact. I should call them right now. Maybe I will do that as soon as I am done here.

There are others that have already passed away in my life. People I wish I had gotten to know better. Some of them are family members. Some of them are family members of family members. Regardless of the connection, they had touched my life in a way that is unforgettable and I miss them too. I wish I had gotten to know them better. But I can't dwell on such things. I cherish the small moments I had with such loved ones that I barely knew. I can relate with Gavyn on that.

I think my main point here is....

Don't forget loved ones. Young or old, don't forget them! Spend as much time you can with them and show them that you care and love em'. By phone, letter, or in person.