Gommy is sad today because we just got word that our dear Nana (Grandpa's Mother) is not going to be with us much longer. We just spent the long weekend with her and we could see that this was coming....but we are never ready to let go of our Mother, now are we? I have had many great woman to woman talks with Nana over the years. We were lucky enough to have her live close to us for over a year while we were still in Tennessee.
Nana loved Tennessee.... and Memphis in particular. She and Granddaddy grew up in Memphis, married there and had seven children born in that city. They made and shared many, many happy memories there over the years. I can't think of one Christening, birthday, graduation, marriage or any other family event that they missed over the years for their children and grandchildren. They were definitely involved and loving parents. Nana shared many of those memories with me the times I would visit with her, on any given afternoon, when I would steal away from work to have lunch with her....or come over to her place after work and bring her dinner and just visit with her or watch a movie. Many times she would come to the golf course when we were having a Pot Luck event or to enjoy Bunco with the 'girls'. We had fun decorating her place for Christmas and the other holidays while she was living near us. Nana always had great taste in decorating. She loved her magazines and had several subscriptions for the ones that showed pretty home designs.
There were semi-monthly trips to the doctor where we could talk about a number of things that may be bothering her.....or just her wanting to share memories of Granddaddy, or the children or grandchildren with me. We went to the grocery store at least once a week. Nana looked forward to that time....as it was just about the last thing she could actually do for herself. We always went to Wally World or other big department stores that had those electric-type wheel chairs. It would take hours for her to finish all her shopping...even though I knew she didn't need much because she lived alone. But I realized that she just enjoyed getting out of the house for a bit. She was always telling me she was sorry that I had to be dealing with getting her wheelchair in and out of the car so she could get around. I assured her it was my honor to help her so she could get out and about. We always tried to have lunch out or sometimes it was an early supper on shopping day. Other days, she would call and tell me she had made something special for Grandpa, that she knew he loved, and we would come over to eat it with her.... even if we had to get right back afterwards, to close up the golf course for the day. Those are times we will always have to remember.
I will cherish those times even more after she is gone. And I will always be thankful that we did share those special times. When Granddaddy was alive, and we still lived in Florida, we were always begging them to come visit with us. They were such fun. We can always think back now with a smile, that they knew how much we wanted to be with them. Many times, parents become a 'nuisance' to their children and they don't feel very wanted any longer. We know that Nana and Granddaddy never felt that way in our home.
While we were visiting Nana this weekend....we said our good-byes as we always have in the past, but we all knew this was probably the last good-bye we would ever get to have. When Grandpa Mike leaned down to kiss Nana and say his good-byes....Nana held his hand more tightly than you would expect from someone so weak....and looked him in the eyes and told him...'I love you with all my heart." It was all I could do to hold back the tears until we were out of her sight. Grandpa has always had an extra- special relationship with his parents. All parents love their children....but Nana and Granddaddy knew without a shadow of a doubt...that their son Michael loved them back, with all of his heart too. That is a gift that Michael gave to himself.....a warm, comforting feeling that he did all he could ever do to make sure his parents felt honored and loved...and that they knew it while they were still here with him. That is what is called having peace of mind in your special parent/son relationship.
Mothers means so much to all of us. When we are little....our mother is everything to us. She feeds us, tucks us in at night, soothes us when we are sick and she loves us unconditionally. When we are teens....we wish we didn't have to be mothered so much...but thankfully...that passes and we come back to our senses eventually and realize how fortunate we are to have someone in our lives that cares for us as only a mother does. Then we become parents ourselves...and that is when the really big awakening happens and we realize just how much our parents do love us. Some of us are luckier than others in our special relationships with our parents. Others who haven't wanted to experience that closeness for whatever reason, have surely missed out on one of the greatest relationship in the world.
So, if anyone out there is lucky enough to still have their parents around.....take the time to let them know how much they mean to you. Tell them that you appreciate all they did for you while you were growing up. Even if you didn't have the best relationship.....they did bring you into the world. They deserve some gratitude for that at least...don't you think?
So thank you Nana for all the special times we shared over the years. I am so grateful to have had this past weekend to be with you and reminisce about the good old days. I will always remember our sitting out in patio area on Friday and the wind blowing in your hair. We could tell that you were enjoying being in the refreshing air by the smile on your face. It was almost as if you were remembering times from long ago. I really love how the Hospice movement says that loved ones should never die alone. That a loved one should hold your hand and comfort you as you transition from one plane of reality to another. May your transition be all that you have ever dreamed it would be! You are a great mother! God Bless You Nana.
