Death and dying...

I lost another grandparent last night. One of my featured stories here for many years is about the loss of my dad's parents some years ago. This time it was Mom's mom.

Omi, as I called her, had suffered from Alzheimer's for several years now. She was bed bound and non-verbal so her passing really comes as a relief in many ways.

Sad... that she is gone...
Relieved... that her suffering is over...
Angry... that this wretched disease prevented the saying of goodbyes...

I'm home with my family on bereavement leave for a while. Not sure if that means I won't be on here much or if it means I'll be on here constantly. We shall see...

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TexChik · F

Oh Sara, I am so sorry for your loss. Its even sadder that her passing is a relief because all of you have suffered through her illness. I am glad you are home with your family. 😊

Valerian · 100+, M

Sara,

Sweetie,

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Grandmothers, (Grandfathers as well as), are always so special in our lives, especially during our childhood when we got to build those fun and fond memories during afternoon visits, staying over for a weekends or weeks at a time.

They weren't our Mom or Dad, but they gave us valuable insight into our parents' worlds we'd have never known. They were living history books, full of wisdom, stories about times now far gone and being forgotten but for what they gave / gifted us.

They dispensed needed humor and discipline, etiquette, common sense, practicality, logic, social views, morality & life lessons. There were cooking, sewing and craft sessions, games, adventures, trips, discovering and discoveries sharing wonderful time in our younger lives. They gave us gifts of socks instead of toys and always wonderful the treasures of their time and love!

All of that followed us along as we both matured, slowly growing with life's seasons. There was guidance for the future that we didn't know we needed and so many thoughts prompted that helpfully shaped us into young adults that they hoped for us become.

They somehow knew our unasked questions and their astute words lead us inwardly where the answers we sought had been planted and waiting. Some of them will still spring up and touch us to this day! Sometimes they reach and touch us still with their unconditional love.

😥

TryingtoLava

Im so sorry sara <3 <3 ik im late but if you need anything PM me

pdqsailor1 · 61-69, M

I am very sorry for the loss of your Grandmother.. My Mothers Mother also was stricken with Alzheimers.. My observation is that if highly intelligent people are stricken with it then none of us are safe from it.. Death comes to all of us, some sooner, some later, some as a thief some as a friend... When I told my Daughter (then aged about ten that no one gets out this world alive on the death of her Great Grandmother - her instantaneous reply was "yah, what about the Astronauts????" I thought perhaps a future lawyer - leave it to a ten year old to find the flaw in the argument.. May her memory be a blessing..

vetguy1991 · 51-55, M

So sorry for the loss of your grandmother, alzheimers is a terrible disease, its definitely not easy to watch someone you love go through it

Vivaci

Very sorry for your loss, Sara.

I know how hard it is to lose someone to Alzheimers. Give my condolences to your Mom and family 🙏🏼💙🤍

Scribbles · 36-40, F

I'm sorry for your loss. Alzheimer's is hard. It's a long death full of suffering as the symptoms progressively gets worse. And now you are mourning her passing.

Let yourself process all the feelings and mourn her. Cherish the sweet memories you have of her, and find some way to honor her . She lives on in all of your memories.

I will no doubt be facing something similar in the near future as my last living Grandmother is currently suffering with severe dementia.

My deepest condolences 😥

KiwiBird · 36-40, F

Hi Sara

Death will find us all eventually. While sad Omi has passed she is now at peace. Alzheimers is a sad way to go....slow deterioration and cognitive loss. One of my Grandfathers went through it. Glad you are able to be with family at this time.

🤗🤗🤗

Fungirlmmm · 51-55, F

I am so sorry.

Yulianna · 26-30, F

🤗

For Omi

the candle burns
prayers whispered
breathing
strokes the flame
we sift through memories
sweet, bitter
sweet again
as the distance
stretches
then til now
in passing
she is not past
just another present

BiasForAction · M

I’m sorry for your loss. Hopefully you’ll have happy memories of her from your youth. You are a good granddaughter I am sure if it. You probably gave her great joy growing up.

TheDisciplinarian · 61-69, M

Perhaps you feel..Omi didn't know you were there
And or understood her older years..

However
Seconds after her Passing
She knew ..remembered and Appriciated all of your being with her

When my grand-mother passed
She had her Facilities fully
Yet
In the last 15 to 30 mins of her passing
She was speaking to and could see others who passed before her

Even All the medical Equipment
Showed her as having passed on..
Yet..for at least 10 m8ns... she took occassional shallow breathers
With no heart beats

Yet
I knew she wasnt alone..nor just set into nothingness

My Condolences for your loss

Rutterman · 46-50, M

Very sorry for your loss, Sara. Condolences to you, your family, and all who cared about your grandmother. 🥀

GeistInTheMachine · 31-35, M

Can relate, too too much.

You are not alone.

God bless you and your loved ones.

samueltyler2 · 80-89, M

My sincerest condolences to you and your family

Steve42 · 56-60, M

My condolences. My Dad's Mother passed away from Alzhiemers and Parkinsons. It's not easy, but there really wasn't much of her left. At least she no longer suffers.