Instead of Five for Fraturday today, I’m going to write about my grandma.
This past week, I found myself unexpectedly in Arizona with my family because my grandma fell and was not doing well. And I say unexpectedly because my grandma was a fighter. Nothing stopped her. I think we all thought she would live forever because she overcame everything. I mean, seven years ago when she was 89, she was in a terrible accident and had both of her legs amputated at the knees. She lived through that. Who lives through that at 89 years of age?
My grandma.
As my family and I drove to Arizona last Saturday, we received a call that she was non-responsive and that we might not make it. We pulled over and prayed that we would get there in time to say goodbye.
We did.
In fact, when we got there, my Grandma opened her eyes, smiled, spoke to us, told us she loved us, and laughed the laugh that will probably always be my favorite laugh of anyone’s ever. Growing up, my siblings and I always imitated her laugh because it was so unique. She laughed a little gently, not too loud, and always always always ended her laugh with a sigh. It always made us laugh harder. I don’t know. Maybe you had to be there.
From thinking we would not be able to tell her we loved her one last time to hearing her laugh . . . God is so good.
We spent the next few days just sitting and talking with her when she was awake. Every caregiver or friend that came to visit said the same things over and over.
She is the sweetest thing.
She is such a fighter.
We just love her.
She is my favorite patient.
Sometimes, sitting with her was easy because she was calm and peaceful. If you held her hand, she would grip it tight. If you told her you loved her, she would say it right back. She never complained. If you asked her if she was cold or hot or tired or anything . . . it was always I’m fine or I’m okay.
Her nails were perfect because she had just had them done.
Other times, she was scared and she would tell us so. We would pray with her or rub her back . . . my mom even made me sing to her. So I sang songs like Jesus Loved Me and Come Let Us Worship and Bow Down . . .
It was one of the hardest weeks of my life. I honestly didn’t know it was going to be like that.
But it was also one of the most special times of my life. To be able to be there. To be able to hold her hand. To tell her that I looked up to her, that she is my hero, that I hope to someday be just like her. Sweet, kind, strong, loving, a fighter . . .
My grandma went to be with the Lord yesterday, August 4th.
She has her legs back. She can see and hear perfectly. She is dancing and running and living in Heaven. She is with both my grandpas again.
And because I believe, I know I will see her again.
Holding her hand this week
Celebrating her 95th birthday
My parents wanted me to write her obituary. And I was like are you crazy? I can’t do that! And they would say but you’re the writer of the family and I said I write stories and tell about dumb things that happened- this is different!
But with their help, I did write it.
I’m going to put it here so you can get a snippet of her life and see what an incredible woman she was.
What a life she lived!!! She was so special and talented. Creative, smart, and BRAVE! I remember going to Astroworld (an amusement park in Houston, TX) with my grandparents when I was a kid, and they rode all the roller coasters while we sat and watched. Because we were afraid. But they weren’t!
My grandma has been EVERYWHERE! She saw the world!!!
She did yoga in her 80s. Her 80s!!! I can barely hold a plank for two seconds and practically fall over every other move, and my grandma was doing yoga in her 80s. The only reason she stopped was because of her accident. I MEAN!!!
She was tiny! 4′ 11″. 🙂 But mighty!
Do they still make people like this today?
🙂
November 3, 1920 — August 4, 2017
Thank you for sharing your grandma with us. My prayers for you and your family durning this difficult time. May the comfort that only God can provide be with you all.
Sending warm thoughts and prayers of comfort to you and your family. While you are mourning the loss of your precious grandmother, rejoice in the fact that you WILL be with her again. hugs!
I am so sorry for your loss. <3 It is amazing how strong our bodies, minds, and hearts can be. I am so glad you were able to be with your grandma in her last moments. My heart breaks for you, but I'm also thankful to have learned a little bit about your beautiful grandma from this post. Sending my best thoughts and wishes to you, your family, and your grandma.
You were undoubtedly as much a blessing to her as she to you. Wishing all of you peace as you remember and love her. She was an incredible woman!
Beautifully written, Kristin❣️
I’m sendinging prayers of comfort and peace for your entire family.
beautiful.
Hugs to you. I am currently visiting my father in Hospice and holding his hand just like your picture.
I’m so sorry Kristin and my prayers are with you and your family. Even having faith I’m sure it’s hard–you’re comforted that she is with God, physically free and with those who’ve passed before her–but, at the same time there’s so much we miss. So, I pray that you can be comforted when you’re sad by the memory of her unique laugh (and, sigh) and those amazing hands that you held during her last days. Hugs to you from your Temecula teaching friend! XOXO!
What a great lady! So sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry for your loss. She sounds like a special lady. So glad you all were able to be with her. Someone framed a picture of my mother’s and my hand as she passed and it’s a special memory. Prayers.
Bless your heart. I cried with you over the loss of your sweet dog and now your grandma. The obituary was lovely and I am so glad you had her all those years.
I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my grandmother this week as well. Sending prayers!
What a beautiful tribute to your dear grandma! I’m so sorry for your loss. May the Lord comfort your family during this time of grief.
Sending you love and prayers during this difficult time for your family. I am so glad you were able to spend those precious days with your dear grandmother. God bless.
Thank you for sharing your grandma’s life with us. I love knowing you through this lovely teaching connection, and love how honest you are about your life. I know that each person who reads about your amazing grandma will do so with a tear in their eye. May Jesus’ welcoming arms embrace this child called home.
That was beautiful. I think you are a lot like her. So glad you got to spend some time with her.
Thanks so much, Kristin for sharing your heart about your grandmother. I’ll continue to pray for you and your family as you grieve this loss of such a precious woman! What an awesome legacy she left behind.
What an amazing story, and an amazing lady! My thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you for the meaningful writing that you do- you are an inspiration!.
Kristin,
I love, admire and respect you more than you’ll ever know. Your talent is exceptional and your heart is amazing. Your words are always perfect and your friendship blessed my life. I’m sorry that you and your beautiful family are experiencing this loss and sadness. I’m glad they chose you to write about your grandma. I’m grateful that your faith has helped sustain you this week, that Gods presence was felt and I pray that you all feel comfort and peace in the days ahead celebrating her life. ❤️
Prayers and hugs♥️
I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your grandmother with us. I lost my grandmother earlier this year and she was strong, brave, beautiful and led a fascinating life like your grandmother. Your story made me cry for your grandmother as well as mine. I know how much you will miss her; she will always be with you.
You wrote such a beautiful tribute to your grandmother. I am sorry for your loss.
Kristen, I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Grandma here on earth. Thank you for the reminder that God is always with those we love. Recently we learned that my 89 year old father has lung cancer. He, like your Grandmother, is a fighter and is about to begin Chemotherapy. Your story of your Grandmother filled me with a hope and a peace to enjoy each day that he is with us. May God continue to be with you and your family through this time.
I am sorry for your loss. I’m praying for your grandma , you and your family.
Thank you for sharing. I lost my 96 year old mother in March and it has been hard. She too was a strong woman and I missing sitting with her and her little ‘motherisms’ she would share.
Thanks for writng such a beatiful tribute to your grandmother. It was so nice to read an ariticle that is sad and yet healing at the same time. (if you understand what I mean) I love reading your articles!
Kristin,
This is incredibly beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. She sounds amazing. I hope that somehow she and my sweet Grammy meet up- I bet they would both enjoy laughing their special laughs while watching the people they love from a better place.
You and your family are in my prayers. I know what a hard time this is… I had incredible peace when my grandmother passed. She also lived a full, beautiful life and we were given the gift of a beautiful, peaceful goodbye… but it still hurts so much…
Take good care of yourself- I am sending love and prayers!
Thank you for sharing. She seemed like an incredible woman. I’m so glad you were able to be with her at the end. Your obituary was powerful and moving. I feel like I knew her. She reminds me of my grandmother who lived to 99 years! She was also strong, courageous and a fighter. God Bless you and your family.
What a lovely tribute. We lost my mom to Alzheimer’s yesterday and rejoiced in the fact that she’s whole again, better than ever! Still, it’s hard to say goodbye. Prayers going up for your family!
Sweet friend – this was your best post ever. You shared your faith and your heart. In this post, you pointed everyone in the direction of Jesus. Well done! Sending lots of love your way because even though you know your grandma is joyfully running in Heaven now, you miss her on Earth. Some day you will be reunited – but not for a LLLLOOOOONNNNNGGGGG time!
Oh my goodness what an amazing lady! So sorry for your loss……it is never easy to lose a loved one. I am sure she is in Heaven and having a ball!
So touching. It’s so nice to have someone to love, and to know you’re loved, as well. Thank you for sharing these painful, peaceful, beautiful and everlasting memories…and the holding hands. Never let go of that. God Bless.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your grandmother touched many lives and I know lives on in their hearts.
Kristen, thank you for this beautiful and bittersweet article. My own grandma went to be with the Lord 15 years and two days ago and I still miss her terribly. Even though it is so hard to say good-bye, our consolation is in Christ. My grandma can also run and dance now and maybe has already met your grandma. Hallelujah!
Prayers for comfort and good memories. I, too, held my dear mama’s hand as she gently slipped into Heaven. It was two years ago on the 22nd of this month. Being able to do that is indeed a blessing, as bittersweet as it is. Hugs to you!
Beautiful tribute and beautiful lady!
Kristen, I am so very sorry for your loss. Your grandma sounds like an amazing women. Sending you and your family prayers of peace and comfort.
What a beautiful, talented, sweet woman your grandma was! What a remarkable life! It’s clear through your loving tribute that she was a blessing to many…the best kind of legacy. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you say goodbye for now. I hope all of your sweet memories bring you more smiles and laughter then tears.
Kristin – I’m sorry you are going through this grief, yet at the same time I happy for you because you had a grandmother that you loved enough to miss. Thanks be to God that you will see your grandmother again. She looked so sweet in her photo.
Hugging you.
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Thinking of you
God has given you a wonderful gift of being able to share your heart. Thank you for sharing your Grandma with us. May God comfort you through this difficult time, he will be your rock. Your Grandma was a wonderful person, treasure those memories forever.
I am so sorry to hear of your grandmother’s passing – what an amazing woman!
Thank you for sharing her story with us. Prayers for peace and strength for you and
your family in the coming days …
What a beautiful tribute!! Grandmothers are SO special. I was lucky enough too to hold onto my grandmother’s hand right until the end. I took a picture holding her hand too so I can always remember how strong they were and how they carried our family through life.
Laurie
I have to confess that I did not even read what you wrote about your grandma. I just needed you to know that I am so very, very glad for you that you even had the honor and privilege of knowing her for as long as you did. My mom dies when I was 29. My last grandma died when I was 22. My children (in their 20s and early 30s) never knew their grandparents. It’s always a bit hard to not be jealous, but really – I am truly glad you knew her this long. Truly. And I will go back and read what you wrote. Just not right now.
I came across your website by accident. I had it bookmarked in my laptop for a long time and I was trying to delete sites I no longer used. I opened your site and read about your grandma. I also was with my grandma when she passed and it was a beautiful moment. She drew her last breath and I felt so privileged to have known and been around such a wonderful being. The picture of your grandma’s hand is very similar to one I have of my grandma. I can still remember how it felt to hold her hand so tightly. Thank you for writing about your grandma. It made me recall my own and remember things I thought I’d forgotten. God bless you and give you peace and strength. But as I also believe, we will see our grandmas again-whole, complete and full of joy!
Kristin, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. What a Blessing and a privilege it was to have known and love such a wonderful woman. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May the memories of all of your times together bring you comfort.
An SLP from Texas