At 5:10 on 9/16/08 I lost my Grandmother, best friend, and confidant. She was the greatest grandmother anyone could have. I was not expecting that phone call. Especially about her. She was only 69 and was doing fine on Monday night when Mama went to visit her.
The Doctor said it was a blood clot to her lungs that was the cause of death and that she went in her sleep. I hate that I wasn't there and she was alone. I hate not knowing if she really was asleep or if she knew what was going on. I hate that my mother was told over the phone and had to be there alone for hours. I hate that I couldn't seem to drive fast enough to get there.
I went to be with my sisters so my dad could be with my mom. AAAGGGHHH I just wanted to go see my grandmother!! But I knew my job as the oldest was needed. When I got there the girls were with my cousin Niki and were crying (I still choke up thinking about it). We started talking and joking around about good times and our crazy family and the mood was lightened a bit. Nik left and the girls and I watched Full House reruns and tried as we could to eat breakfast. After I knew they were a bit better I called my dad as said I was going to the nursing home and bringing the girls, I couldn't take it anymore.
Laila broke down when we got into the parking lot. My dad and mom took the girls and I rushed to my grandmother's room (why I was in a hurry now I don't know but at the time I felt like I needed to be there.) When I opened the door the nurses had covered neatly and she looked asleep. She was barely blue and still had good coloring. She was already cold but I still hugged and kissed on her as best I could over the damn bars on the side of the bed. I talked to her like I always did. I apologized for not going over the weekend before and for not being there for her last breaths.
My uncle Black and Uncle Rocky got there not long after. They really rallied around my mom (who is the baby) to all get through it. Planning the funeral went a lot better then anticipated for 5 kids. No fights, no disagreements. I wanted to pick out her outfit for the funeral and was allowed to do so. I enjoyed shopping for granny before so I had to do it one last time. I picked out a black dress with a shimmering floral jacket. She looked amazing in things that sparkled, not tacky sequins but glittering threads. Everyone raved about the dress which made me feel good. Uncle Terry, Uncle Black and Uncle Rocky made funeral arrangements so my mom could get the girls things done and not have to do everything. I couldn't have done better myself. She would have been so proud of her boys. They picked out a beautiful blue and silver casket with doves EVERYWHERE. They even had embroidery on the opening that had three doves going left and one going right with "Going Home" underneath. BEAUTIFUL!!!!
My dad did the service music, my husband was a pallbearer (sp) along with all her other grandsons and one other grandson-in-law, and the priest who did my wedding did the service. It was a beautiful day. To nice for a funeral. To nice to be sad.
She left behind a lot. She left 4 siblings, 5 children, 14 biological grandchildren, and 4 biological great grandchildren (with at least 2 more on the way). She may be gone but never forgotten.
The Doctor said it was a blood clot to her lungs that was the cause of death and that she went in her sleep. I hate that I wasn't there and she was alone. I hate not knowing if she really was asleep or if she knew what was going on. I hate that my mother was told over the phone and had to be there alone for hours. I hate that I couldn't seem to drive fast enough to get there.
I went to be with my sisters so my dad could be with my mom. AAAGGGHHH I just wanted to go see my grandmother!! But I knew my job as the oldest was needed. When I got there the girls were with my cousin Niki and were crying (I still choke up thinking about it). We started talking and joking around about good times and our crazy family and the mood was lightened a bit. Nik left and the girls and I watched Full House reruns and tried as we could to eat breakfast. After I knew they were a bit better I called my dad as said I was going to the nursing home and bringing the girls, I couldn't take it anymore.
Laila broke down when we got into the parking lot. My dad and mom took the girls and I rushed to my grandmother's room (why I was in a hurry now I don't know but at the time I felt like I needed to be there.) When I opened the door the nurses had covered neatly and she looked asleep. She was barely blue and still had good coloring. She was already cold but I still hugged and kissed on her as best I could over the damn bars on the side of the bed. I talked to her like I always did. I apologized for not going over the weekend before and for not being there for her last breaths.
My uncle Black and Uncle Rocky got there not long after. They really rallied around my mom (who is the baby) to all get through it. Planning the funeral went a lot better then anticipated for 5 kids. No fights, no disagreements. I wanted to pick out her outfit for the funeral and was allowed to do so. I enjoyed shopping for granny before so I had to do it one last time. I picked out a black dress with a shimmering floral jacket. She looked amazing in things that sparkled, not tacky sequins but glittering threads. Everyone raved about the dress which made me feel good. Uncle Terry, Uncle Black and Uncle Rocky made funeral arrangements so my mom could get the girls things done and not have to do everything. I couldn't have done better myself. She would have been so proud of her boys. They picked out a beautiful blue and silver casket with doves EVERYWHERE. They even had embroidery on the opening that had three doves going left and one going right with "Going Home" underneath. BEAUTIFUL!!!!
My dad did the service music, my husband was a pallbearer (sp) along with all her other grandsons and one other grandson-in-law, and the priest who did my wedding did the service. It was a beautiful day. To nice for a funeral. To nice to be sad.
She left behind a lot. She left 4 siblings, 5 children, 14 biological grandchildren, and 4 biological great grandchildren (with at least 2 more on the way). She may be gone but never forgotten.
