90 Years and then Called Home

I realize there are a ridiculous number of pictures on this post, but I don't have the energy at the moment to pare it down any more. Last Wednesday, my grandmother fell in the street and hit her head on the curb. She was found hours later in a pool of blood and care-flighted from Hereford to the trauma unit in Lubbock to undergo brain surgery. (I asked Gabi to give me a hug and said, "Mommy is sad because her grandmother fell and hit her head." Gabi responded by asking, "Did it happen inside or outside? Tell me." Interesting the way a three-year-old thinks... I had Gabi sit next to me and explained that when we are worried about someone we love, one good thing we can do is to pray and ask God to help. Gabi then requested to ask God for help, so we prayed together.)


Annabelle in the DFW airport during out layover


Grampa was on our same flight from DFW to Lubbock

Annabelle and I flew to Lubbock Friday morning to visit, returning two days ago (Tuesday afternoon). The family was tied to a week-long emotional swing before God finally called Grandmother home. Although mostly unresponsive, she had been breathing well "on her own"* (with the ventilator set on CPAP). Last night, she had great difficulty breathing. Also, we found out this morning that she had contracted pneumonia. The family decided to take her off the respirator, and she died about an hour later.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen

*Grandmother was intubated all week. By "breathing on her own," I mean she was breathing more than the ventilator was requiring of her ("breathing over the vent").


Annabelle meeting her Great-Granddad


Annabelle, Gramma Jane, and Great-Granddad

Children are not allowed in the ICU, so Annabelle was unable to meet her Great-Grandmother. The last time I saw my maternal grandparents was at Uncle Stephen's wedding, two weeks before Annabelle was born. I am glad that she was able to meet her Great-Granddad, though.


Annabelle with her great-grand-pappy

Only three visitors at a time were allowed in the Surgical ICU (although the nurses did not bother us if we had a couple more), so we played tag-team going in to see Grandmother. Annabelle entertained everyone in the waiting room and was a nice distraction. We all enjoyed watching Bella perfect her walking skills. Many people commented that she was really walking so much better by the time we left compared to when we arrived.


Annabelle taking off walking


Annabelle interested in Leah's pumpkin pin


Cousins:
Alicia, Stephen, Anda, Patrick, Leah, Ashley
Brian, Annabelle, and Melissa


Aunt Alicia and Uncle Stephen


Audra with her youngest child, Tobin,
and Anda with Annabelle


The next generation:
Annabelle (12 months), Tobin (7 months), and Jonathan (17 months)


My cousin Trevor (who now goes by Colin)
with his wife, Vikki, and son, Jonathan

This pair of pictures amuses me.
Like father, like son.

Occasionally, I would return to the waiting room after visiting Grandmother, and Annabelle would be missing. One time Dad and I found her sleeping with Aunt Lou Ann in the chapel next door.


Aunt Lou Ann and Annabelle sleeping in the chapel


Annabelle slept well on Lou Ann's lap

Mom brought a quilt that her grandmother had started (and she and her mom recently finished together), and she suggested we put Annabelle on the quilt on the floor. That definitely did not work. After that attempt, we arranged for me to return to mom's Aunt Pat's house every morning and afternoon for Annabelle's naps.


Bella playing with Aunt Pat's stuffed puppy


Annabelle laughing at the owl in Aunt Pat's front yard


Checking out the owl in the garden


Bella with Aunt Pat in her back yard


Uncle Harold holding Annabelle

Granddad does not normally show emotion, but watching his wife in a coma certainly helped him express his feelings. He told us it would be hard for him to live without her. He wanted to hold her hand. He said to me, "I want to kiss her, but she's so far away and I can hardly bend over that far." I helped him raise her arm so he could kiss her hand. Another time, Granddad told us that Grandmother liked a hand massage -- he had given her one the day before, which she seemed to enjoy -- so he gave her another. He stood at her bedside as long as he could. Even when his prosthetic leg buckled and he needed help regaining balance, he insisted on standing a bit longer. And when he couldn't stand any more, he sat in his wheelchair and fell asleep holding her hand. So many little things which are a big deal from that strong, inexpressive man.


Granddad wiping a tear from his eye


Granddad holding Grandmother's hand

Scott's girlfriend, Amy, turned 26 on Saturday. It was so kind of her to spend her birthday in a hospital visiting our grandmother. We tried our best (given the circumstances) to celebrate with her. Scott selected an Italian restaurant for dinner, and Mom bought an ice cream cake for us to share in the hospital lobby.


Amy's birthday cake


Happy 26th Birthday, Amy!


It took all three of these people to cut and serve this melting cake


"Cousins"
Well, really, it's basically my siblings plus our cousin Anda


Here, Gramma Jane! Don't you want some of my tortilla?


Granddad visiting Grandmother


Holding hands

The day that I left, Mom and her sisters washed Grandmother's hair. Her head bandage was removed and most of the swelling had gone down. She looked much better, although also much older. Later I will post some pictures of her the way I remember her.