GRANDMA

 

 

GRANDMA

 

“Reggie”, eighty-five, suffered from heart disease.  He was widowed and lives alone in a senior apartment.  He has multiple family members residing locally.  All were so devoted to him and to each other.  It is an amazing, supportive and loving family.  

Grandpa Reggie has been in a recent decline these past few weeks to where he is eating so little and sleeping a lot more.  Family said that he is becoming so much weaker as well.  Being aware of his increasing needs, two of his daughters and three adult grandchildren all were rotating checking in on him throughout each day. 

This morning his granddaughter found him lying right inside the front door of his apartment.  He was unresponsive while lying there.  She called for an ambulance and Grandpa spent most of the day in the Emergency Room. 

Reggie’s heart was failing.  The doctor recommended that he discharge home with hospice coming in.  The hospice nurse and I went out this afternoon to admit Reggie to our program.  Throughout our visit, Grandpa was lying asleep on the couch nearby. 

The hospice nurse and I spoke about the end-of-life process and what to expect.  Grandpa would talk now and then while appearing asleep.  I spoke about how patients at times may have one foot in Heaven, while the other foot is still here on Earth.  The granddaughters strongly felt that Grandpa was talking to Grandma. 

It gave the granddaughters a sense of peace.  They are sad that he won’t be around much longer, but felt happy that he again will be with Grandma.  She has come to escort him home.

GRANDMA

 He’s become so much weaker

these past two to tree weeks.

Family members check in on him daily.

to make sure he is doing alright.

 

This morning they found him down

right inside the apartment’s front door.

He was confused and so terribly weak.

The ER recommended home with hospice.

 

He has been sleeping so much more

while eating so very little.

He has recently told his family,

“I am ready.  I am at peace; I’m tired.”

 

We went out this afternoon to admit him to hospice.

We met his two granddaughters, who loved him so.

He was asleep on the couch next to us.

Not aware at all of why we were there.

 

Suddenly he started to say some words.

His eyes were closed and we couldn’t understand.

Grandma, his wife, died four years ago.

The two granddaughters believed he was talking to her.

 

Immediately I felt a soft presence embracing my soul.

I truly believe they saw her through me

when one granddaughter, assuredly said,

“You so remind me of my Grandma.”

 

Grandma was nearby to escort him home.

To help him tell the family, “Goodbye”.

She came through me, I so believe,

to comfort her family and to tenderly again

         tell Grandpa “Hello”.