I have just returned home after 16 days at my grandparents. I spent the first week saying farewell to an amazing woman, making her comfortable in her final days. The second, more intense week, involved the planning of a two-day farewell (funeral) for our family and friends. So much has happened in the past two weeks that I think the next several blogs will be devoted to specific events.
In the meantime, I would like to share my final Eulogy to my grandmother. I wrestled with posting this, fearing it may be deemed morbid. Luckily, the subject matter seemed very fitting for a blog about following one's love.
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There are not many individuals who can actually walk 'through the woods" to their grandmother's house. Darnel*, Shelly, Nina and I were very lucky to have her so close by. Grandma always had our favorite snacks ready and lots of questions about our day. I thought a lot about which memories I would share today. Although I want to be selfish and tell you about the best grandmother on earth, I need to tell you a love story.
It was August 1950, 59 years ago. Donata* and her friend Helen were on vacation at Echo Lake Farms. Jim "Red" O'Brien was also there with Sal Fatone. Despite Italian heritage and her hesitation about red hair, Donata was taken with the young Irish man.
As Grandpa would say, "she gave me class" and in return, he gave her his heart. I learned everything I need to know about love from my grandparents. During slumber parties, before humming us to sleep, Gram shared her life's advice.
"Izzy," she would say, "Make sure you find someone that takes care of you the way that Grandpa takes care of me."
She said this years go. Little did she know, he would become her nurse in the final months. And his name would be the final word she would say. Until her last days, if you asked Grandma what she was thinking about, she would say, "walking." She longed for one more afternoon with her love by the inlet. In spite of her worsening condition, she always tried to have her meals with Grandpa at the kitchen table. If he left her side for too long, she called out, "Jimmy!" And gripped his hand upon his return.
In February the prognosis was not good. It was unlikely that Grandma would reach her 80th birthday, but she always did love surprising us. Here we are seven months later with even more memories to cherish.
In Shelly's reaching from the New Testament she stated, "Hope does not disappoint." I truly believe it was my grandfather's hope, love and devotion that kept her going these last few months.
Our entire family is lucky to have witnessed this Great Love.
In Donata's honor, I hope we all remember to dress as fashionably, accessories in tact; keep our homes as impeccable; care as deeply as she did for others; and love as passionately.
I love you, Grandma.
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*a reminder that all names on NAVY WIFE have been changed.
