JJ (My Grandmother)

My grandmother died. The wife of the grandfather that died....they say that happens, I wonder if she somehow sensed that he had died. Nobody told her because she was in advanced stages of Alzheimer's Disease. To tell her would probably cause more trouble that it was worth, for her. Luckily enough, I was able to see her before she died. We had actually come out to KS to visit her, my grandfather, and Aunt Ginny. We did not make it in time to see my grandfather. We did get a chance to visit her in the nursing home. She didn't remember who we were, but we showed her pictures and read her letters my dad had written from her mother and sisters...they have already passed, but that is where her mind was at and so my dad thought it would be nice to give her some comfort and read her some letters. It was a very sweet thought.

I had left to go back to NH a little earlier so that way I could get back in time to then drive to NY for my grandfather's funeral, but that next day, JJ seemed to recognize my sister and father when they went to visit her the next day. Shortly after, a week or so, she developed pneumonia. At first it wasn't looking good and then she made a miraculous turn-around. When my father told me that she was doing well and was actually talking clearly and seemed more aware of things when my aunts went to visit, I couldn't help but think that it was a moment of clarity before the end. And it was.

Since I had visited KS not too long before she passed, I was able to see her in a light I had never before. Her as a young girl and developed into a young lady. Then married and a young mother...It was really nice to know her in that way, a way I just never knew. I did know that she was a wonderful mother to my uncle, who required a lot of care. When I was going through my college career, I learned about Willowbrook and just know what doctors recommended at the time. Also at that time, people just did what doctors said, but even in that time, my grandparents just knew that was not right and did what they thought was right to give Robbie the life he deserved. Both she and my grandfather gave their lives to him and while I might have been confused growing up, I now realize how special they were and how difficult that might have been. It is definitely something worthy of respect. They will both be remembered.