My grandmother Florence is an ANGEL.
...a wonderful woman who has always been such a positive influence in my life.
I have so many memories of her growing up!
My favorite memories are from when I was a teenager and young adult, because even at the most ‘confused’ stage in my life I found myself inspired by her. I spent many afternoons just hangin’ with my grandma. J
I enjoyed listening to her talk about her “courtship” with my grandpa, stories about when she was growing up and epecially how several men proposed to her in her hometown - a story she loved to tell!
I also talked to her about things that were going on in my life; she always gave me advice from her heart. Sometimes, it was a little old fashioned for my teenage taste, but she was so honest and so compassionate that I always came back for more.
I fondly remember driving up to her big 2-story brick home and seeing her gold Cadillac in the driveway. I knew she was home, because I could always see the shadow of her big, curly, grey hairdo through her living room window.
She always greeted me at the door with a smile, a hug filled with love, and a cookie jar just waiting to be opened - the way a grandmother should!
She always made the time for me…for all of us.
These days we are the ones making the time for her in our schedule. Spending time with grandma is not what it used to be.
These days it is bittersweet.
It is time with a grandma who we loved so much, but that most days, does not know who we are. When I first see her, I am greeted with a kind smile as she politely asks how I have been. She does not quite know who I am, but she smiles and greets me lovingly as she has in the past. Looking to my aunt for reassurance that I am someone, she knows and possibly even likes! As the day goes on, I am told that I am not her grandchild, that she does not know me and that my husband is a bad man who has tried to hurt her a time or two. It is hard to see her like this.
Although, spending time with grandma is not what it used to be, we make the best of it. We giggle at the silly things she says, and we ignore some of the mean comments. We relish the hugs and loving moments that she sometimes gives us, we make her coffee and find foods that she will eat, because we know her body is searching for nutrition.
Grandma has Alzheimers. It's a fact we have learned to deal with.
She may not remember who we are, but we remember who she is!
Who she was...
A woman who means so much to so many.
That is why tomorrow will be a very special walk for our family.
We will be walking in honor of my grandma Florence who is suffering from an ugly disease.
Our team is called Florence’s Angels, because my grandma loved angels. She even had a special place in her house she called her “Prayer Room.” It was where she went to pray, a little room that held her favorite collection of knick-knacks. Her angel collection.
Tomorrow another group of "angels" will be coming together to surround my grandma and support this cause, and I just wanted to say "thanks."
<3
