(Great Grandma & Me - December 1979)
Last Tuesday I got the call from my mom that Great Grandma did in fact leave the hospital with hospice. Up until last Sunday, she was doing well for a 97 year old. She got around pretty decent. However, after 97 years of working hard, her heart finally had enough. I knew I needed to go! It was a nutty day at work and I ended up having to work an extra hour to get a project done. So, I worked instead of going home and changing clothes.
Finally, I was able to shut down my computer for the day! I raced to my car to make the two hour drive to the tiny town of Scottsville, IL. Scottsville is so small there is not even a population sign as you enter town. I had made that drive many times in my life. However, I had never done it on my own. After making what seemed like nothing but right hand turns, I finally pulled up in the farm's driveway. Flooded with so many memories, I hesitantly walked up to the house, knowing I was about to see her for the last time.
After hugging my parents, I entered the front room of the house. There she was lying on the hospital bed, a frail and tiny woman. She was not at all like I remembered her. She did not look like a woman who just a year before tended to a garden the size of a swimming pool or three years before still raised her own chickens. So, I knelt down beside her, held her hand and said "Hello Grandma, it's Andi." She did not or was not able to say anything, but she did open her eyes for a brief moment. She knew me! Thank God, she knew me!
I stayed for a few hours, reminiscing with everyone. We talked about Grandma's garden, her pies and of course her famous fried chicken! We spoke about how without any notice, she could have a table full of food within an hour and a half. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, oatmeal, pickled beats, peaches, two pies... and I am sure I forgot two or three things! Oatmeal was the only thing on that table that she did not raise or grow herself. There was always enough room and enough food at Grandma's house.
Grandma finally fell asleep on Thursday evening. I will miss the chicken, the huge kitchen table, playing on top of the cellar, running through the cow fields, and making the venture to the pond. However, what I will miss the most is how every time you had a story to tell, she listened and if something sparked curiosity she let out her famous response: "Oh?" I have not heard it in a long time, but it is still a vivid memory!
Grandma loved all of her eleven children and numerous grand children, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren! Amazingly, she knew every one of us by name and who we "belonged" to. But most importantly, we belonged to her! We were her children. We were special.
Grandma, I love you and will miss you dearly!
