Thursday, November 29, 2012

Saying Goodbye






Not all things that metamorphosis change for the better, some times they just change.

This is my grandmother's childhood home.
We call her Nona (an Italian take on the name grandma).

I found this photo a few weeks ago while going through a box of her old pictures.

She was one of 12 children to be raised in this hillside home in the mining town of Vittondale, PA.

I've been told that my Great Grandma kept a nice garden in the front lawn.

Nona's told me a few stories about her doll that was left in the yard and was ruined in the rain.

I have seen old photos of my dad playing in the yard as a small boy, of my great Aunts all dressed up and of my Great Grandparents standing in front of the home.

Many, many years ago the home was sold out of the family.

Today, this is what it looks like.

It has been added onto..
It has been re-sided...
Porches have been lost to make room for indoor bathrooms...
Whole windows are gone as well as the chimmy stack from the middle of the home..

A trampoline has replace the beautiful garden...
It has metamorphosed into something else,
someone else's home
 filled with someone else's dreams, children and shelter.


Today Nona turns 85.
My Nona has had a series of two strokes over the past year, 
this last one leaving her unable to survive without constant help.
 My mother and father(her son) have made the brave 
and exhausting choice to have her live with them,
 in fact both of my grandma's live with them.
 Nona, needs help to get out of bed, get to the wheel chair, 
go to the bathroom, bathe, dress, and eat. 
She has lost her ability to speak free thoughts... 
she can no longer answer my questions

What color was the trim on your home?
Which window was your bedroom window?
Who did you share a room with?
Did anyone live in the third floor?
What did you keep in the cellar?
How many times a day did you have to walk up and down the mountain to town?

I have the great privilege of helping to care
 for Nona several days a week. I treasure the times I spend with her.
 I treasure each time I rub her paper thin legs, arm, and feet with lotion.
 Two weeks ago I cried when she was able to verbalize the following
"Dee Dee, I don't see too good" when I brought her out for breakfast without her glasses! 
For it was the first and only time since her last stroke that she called me by name!

I am blessed beyond belief to have both of my grandmas still with me.
But much like the old home, they too have changed.
Fortunately, unlike the old home, they will always remain in the family!

Happy Birthday Nona!
I love you.... Dee Dee


(this is a picture of Nona and my beautiful mom)


This post was originally posted
 3 years ago when I started blogging.
Sunday morning Nona had another stroke
and
Today my Nona went home....
to Heaven.

I love you Nona. 

17 comments:

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Oh, DeeDee, I am so sorry for the loss of your dear Grandmother. It is so hard to face these challenges even though they are bound to happen. You must have so many wonderful memories to spend time with now. I think of my grandmother every day even though she has been gone many years, but the time I was so lucky to spend with her thoughtout my life will never be forgotten. This is an especially hard time of the year to lose someone but you will be strong, just like your grandmother, and take comfort in your family..Judy

Christine said...

Dee Dee,
I know family is such a huge part of your life. The love you had for Nona was such an inspiration.
My heart is sad but I know she is in heaven. Someday, you will get all those answers.
I will lift you up in prayer as you and your family grieve.

Lynne said...

A beautuul sharing DeeDee . . . I am sad for you in the death and loss of your grandmother . . . I celebrate you and your family for the beautiful life, love and living each of you brought to her. I am sure she always knew she was a very GRAND . . . mother . . .

My caring . . .

~ rooms FOR rent ~ said...

WOW... beautifully put! I am SO SORRY for your loss. I'm literally in tears over here myself, and wish I could just give you a big hug right now. Thank you so much for choosing to share such an intimate family moment with us all, and I pray that the Lord will give you all peace and strength through this time. My deepest condolences Dee Dee. ~Bre

Jen said...

Oh dee dee I am so sorry for your loss... You have some beautiful memories that will never go away and hopefully that can help you through this tough time... Thank you for sharing them with us and you are all in our prayers

Katy said...

so sorry Dee Dee. <3 It's so hard to watch the past disappear with the memories of our grandparents. Sometimes I wonder if blogs will still be around in 100 years, so our great-great grandchildren can see the things we wrote about..

Sue said...

Oh Dee Dee, I know what a loss this is for you. After watching my mom's weeks following her stroke, I knew that while we might not be ready to lose them-they wouldn't want to live that way. I found peace knowing she was no longer trapped in a body that didn't move-I hope you and your family find peace in the celebration of the long, happy life she had.

Ronda Batchelor said...

How beautiful this post is. Sorry about your loss of your grandmother in this life, but glad you will see her again someday! You are one very beautiful person.

Anonymous said...

Uncle Dale and I will miss Nona, too. You helped care for her so lovingly... what a blessing you were to her! Love you, Aunt Theta

Kathy said...

DeeDee I'm so sorry for your loss. What a special lady.

Crickit said...

Oh Dee Dee,

I am so sorry to hear of your grandmother's passing. How wonderful of your family to care for her during her last years. I am sure that she so appreciated you all! It sounds like you have many wonderful memories of your Nona... Hold onto them and they will help you through this difficult time.

Love,
Crickit

Heather{Our Life In a Click} said...

So sorry Dee Dee! She sounds like she was an amazing woman!

Gillian Layne said...

Bless you and yours during this difficult time. What a beautiful testament to the love in your family.

Wendy said...

Dee Dee,
I am sorry I only am reading this today. Hugs to you and your family during this difficult time. Praying for you.
Wendy

Melissa said...

dee dee, thank you for sharing your memories. they are too precious. thoughts and prayers to you.

Gloria said...

Oh, I am so sorry, Dee Dee. I'm sure you are so sad to lose your Nona. But you can take comfort in knowing that you were a wonderful granddaughter. And your mother and father for having her live with them? Saints. The good Lord will bless you all for being such a loving family. Well, now your Nona is in heaven, and watching over you. Whenever you need something, call on her and she will help you. God bless you all and you all have my deepest sympathies.
Best,
Gloria

Linda Leyble said...

Hi Dee Dee - sorry for my absence visiting your blog. So sad for you that your Grandmother passed away. You were very lucky to have her (and your other Grandma)for such a long time. But - it's so sad when they are not in our lives anymore. And the house would have been another reminder of her. I hate to go back to my childhood home because it's changed now that someone else lives there. It's the same color and has the same shutters - but many of the shrubs and flowers and plants that my mom and dad planted are sadly no longer there.

I never knew 3 of my grandparents - they all died before I was born. And my dad's mom died when I was about 6 or 7. I knew her well but at 7 - how much do you really process?

Hope your Christmas was beautiful. Wishing you a happy and wonderful 2013!

Linda