The last two years I have lived with my Grandmother, or Grammy, as I call her. She is 98. In the last six months her health has changed and deteriorated. As a result, members of my nuclear and extended family have been dealing with realized and unrealized feeling about the situation. It has given me such a respect for anyone that has ever had to deal with care giving for any length of time. In comforting conversations with friends they remind me to cherish the time I have with my Grammy, for when she is gone it will be a gift for the rest of my life.
So my reflection today is about the power of a loving friendship that has endured over 50 years. Yesterday, one of my grandmother’s church members and dear friends came by to see her. She has come every week for years. She is a spry 85-year-old who gets on the bus or walks a mile and half from her home to see her dear friend. She comes in and they sit together and catch up about the church activities and the family. They fall asleep in the middle of their conversations and wake up and start a new one. I have caught them on more than one occasion napping in chairs next to one another in the months prior to Grammy’s decline. Yesterday she came in and sat by the bed and talked to Grammy, and getting no reply, and later they napped together with Grammy in the bed and Mrs. Magellan in the chair. Grammy actually looked more peaceful then I have seen her in awhile. As Mrs. Magellan was leaving I told her “I’m sorry that she was not talking today, it would have been nice for you to chat a little.” Mrs. Magellan said to me "Don’t worry baby, she knows that I was here.” It was such a tender moment to witness--it was worth everything that I have given up to be here with her for the last two years. There is nothing more powerful than true love and in these last days of Grammy’s life I have seen love that has changed me just from witnessing it. For everyone that is dealing with or has dealt with care giving and loss we must remember these moment to keep going.
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
Dr. Dae's website: www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's book: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living can be purchased @ www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's Bio:
“Dr. Dae" (pronounced Dr. Day) Daemon Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who completed her training at the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine. She is certified as a General Practitioner by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE). Dr. Dae provides tailored treatment to meet the unique needs of every individual she sees in her practice. She also provides specialized support for persons challenged by nutritional deficiencies, weight problems, hormonal and reproductive system disorders, attention deficit disorder and those experiencing chronic diseases. Dr. Dae is an adjunct faculty member for The Center for Mind-Body Medicine and Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts. She is the author of Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living. Dr. Dae is a featured chef with www.myfoodmyhealth.com. Dr. Dae is a regularly featured writer for the Elite GoogleNews Website empowher.com where she shares her personal and professional vision for living whole and living well. To learn more about Dr. Dae, her products and services, please visit her on the Web at www.Healthydaes.com.