(On a side, how funny is it that you are eventually going to be known by your mother-in-law's moniker?!)
While we were not particularly close to my Grandma and Grandpa Van Wyk growing up (my dad was the oldest child) I have a lot of memories of my Grandma and Grandpa Van Wyk. I believe my love for Christmas Stockings comes from Christmas Time with the Van Wyk side when Grandma Van Wyk would fill our stockings full of crayons, notebooks, coloring books, and those little candy buttons. Plus, to say I adored my cousins (I am second to youngest) is an understatement, so spending time with Grandma meant spending time with cousins.
My Grandma Van Wyk is probably the craftiest person I know. Growing up she would make us dolls, bookmarks and stamp collections. I really did enjoy making crafts at Grandma's.
Some could say my vulgar mouth comes from my Grandma. I distinctly remember a conversations she was telling my dad about a lady at church she was angry with. Apparently the lady told my Grandma "I need to pee so bad I can taste it." And my Grandma said "Well, why don't you eat it?!"
It's been nearly twenty years since I last dealt with a sick family member. My Grandpa Vos died just two days after my 12th birthday? So when my Dad called me this week to tell me I needed to go visit my Grandma if I wanted to see her one last time, it felt very surreal. While we all know death is a guarantee in life (much like taxes) there is still a level of denial. In fact, when my dad informed me they'd be moving my Grandma to hospice in the next few days, I reminded my dad how they sent Aunt Gerdy to hospice earlier in the year and she walked right out of there! My dad reminded me that Aunt Gerdy was the only person he ever heard of to walk out of hospice.
So the Takekawa's made the trip to Mahaska County Hospital (interestingly the location of both my parent's births and my Grandpa Vos's death). I asked the nurse for my Grandma's room. I peeked in the door and did not recognize the lady laying there. I went back to the nurse to get the correct room (afterall they did send me to room 207 which was on the third floor) and she looked at me with sad eyes to inform me that was the correct room.
I walked into the room and she instantly said "Dawn!" While we didn't have very engaging conversation (In her words "[she] doesn't know anything") she tell remind me of a few important things.
1. What beautiful is today is not what beautiful used to be.
2. I have the most sweetest pretty baby she has ever seen!
Emi blew her kisses the whole time we were there. My Grandma loves babies, and I know having Emi blow her kisses over and over filled my Grandma's heart with joy. In fact, my Grandma then moved a bit to blow Emi a kiss back!
As we walked out of the room, I told Grandma I loved her. And she told "[she] would see me again ... hopefully."
I hope so too!
It does get pretty harrowing when you think about it. But at least we were there to follow the course of their struggles, and to meet them when they reach the prime of their lives and their being, and see on what note in which they end it. This can also be a fine reminder of what we else we can do to the people around us, and what we can provide.
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