Time is precious

I have tried to make a point to explain to our girls the importance of knowing their grandparents and not just being present when they are with us....not sure they get it...not sure I get it.  I see how excited they are when we see either set of grandparents and I can remember having that same excitement.  They already have very special memories of times they have spent together whether it be a camping trips, visits to the local flea market, or listening to stories from their childhood.  More than that I want them to know their grandparents.  How they grew up, what their lives were like, the good and bad, major events that transformed their lives, their dreams, etc.  If it were not for my Wonderful wife I would not know half of the stuff I do about not only her family but mine as well.  If you haven't been around for one of her "interrogations" it is something to see.  She just keeps asking questions and they just keep answering them- what a concept.  I want our kids to absorb this information and to learn this skill from their Mother.  The girls have their moments and compared to me when I was a child, are far better communicators.  I hope they continue to interact and not become glued to whatever the tech gadget of the moment is. 

I accept that I am a bad communicator.  I am probably not going to call as often as I should or share all details of the past month, as can be confirmed by multiple family members.  As I look back I'm very disappointed in how often I have been able to make time to call or visit family.  This has never been more evident than with my Grandmother especially considering she was so worried about how much the phone call was costing you that she would rarely stay on the phone more than a few minutes. I was never able to convey to her that long distance had been free for some time now. She always made me feel good about me when I was around her. She had the amazing gift of making you feel like you were the most important person in the world when you spoke with her. Her voice would get so high pitched as she squealed you name in delight and ran to hug you. A few years ago I recorded a video of her as I asked her questions about her childhood, how she met my Grandfather, and their life together. Although I had known her my entire life I learned things in that couple of hours that I had never heard before, priceless. Not enough moments like that I am sad to say.
 
Tomorrow my Grandmother will turn 95 years old. Normally this would be a joyous occasion but due to her health it will not be. She has been suffering from dementia over the past year and an inability to safely get around on her own. Last week she fell at the facility she is living in and gashed her head and broke her femur; an injury, that at her age, is not generally recovered from. Although she has lived a "long, full life" we are obviously saddened by her turn in health over the past few years.  My Grandmother was born in 1918 in Connecticut.  She was the eldest of 6 and grew up very poor.  In the 3rd grade she was forced to quit school so she could work to help support the family.  At 9 years old she was working in the tobacco fields so her parents could afford to send her siblings to school.  Imagine that- I cant even get our girls to clean their room.  She was married to my Grandfather for over 56 years when he passed away.  I remember thinking that I was not sure how she would go on without him.  They had traveled the world together and had many great memories.  She did go on, for over 17 years now, and although we have been blessed to have her in our lives, I think it is time she rejoin him.   I spoke with her two weeks ago and although she was not sure who I was she told me that she enjoyed talking with me and she wished I could visit her so she could give me a hug. Me too Grandma, me too!