My grandmother is now 93 years old. She used to be 5'10", now she's shrinking and wasting away, barely capable of feeding herself, rarely lucid. At the moment we've got her living in a nursing home justa round the corner. I visited her today, brought her a McDonalds fish burger (she loves them), and stayed to chat for a bit. The conversation started like this:

Grandma: "We're late, aren't we?"
Me: "Late for what?"
Grandma: "The cemetary."
Me: "Why would we be going there?"
Grandma: "To be buried."
Me: "Why would we be getting buried?"
Grandma: "Because we're dead."
Me: "Who is?"
Grandma: "All of us. Aren't we?"
Me: "I think you were dreaming, Grandma..."
Grandma: "Aren't we all dead?"
Me: "Dead people don't watch soap operas."

Half the time she can't distinguish between dreams and reality. Sometimes she forgets my Grandfather died ten years ago. Sometimes she can barely figure out her own name. It's been a very quick slide really, only the last year or so. She barely eats, but likes to down a sherry now and then. And by "now and then", I mean she does half a bottle every day. *shrug* She's old, she can drink if she wants. She has stated that she intends to die, and that she simply doesn't want to eat. We think she may not see christmas. We used to all gather at my grandparents' place for christmas lunch (including Grandma's trifle for the kids, which had about a litre and a half of sherry in it), but about ten years ago she started coming out to our farm for lunch instead, and dinner at her daughter's place. So this year we are still planning a BBQ and all for Grandma, but we're not sure if she'll make it that far. There's not really much we can do for her, for christmas, except hope she makes it.

On a happier note, my little brother and I are sending our parents on a short holiday to Tasmania to see their favourite singer in concert. It definitely drains the wallet...

thats sad

our great arnt launa had eltsimers

she was really bad before she died

mum had her put into a care facility around the corner and one day she walked off and when they called mum she found her on the corner waiting for the tram

it was sad watching her detreiate like that

she always thought dad was her brother (par) who died when i was only 3

I sympathize, Adam. I lost my last grandparent 10 years ago now. A truly wonderful lady she was. I still miss her.

When she was 87 she moved from California to Florida. There are still paintings and afgafgans that she had done at home. They remind me of her all the time. She had become a very good painter and was starting to get some recognition when she died.

Enjoy her while you can, Adam. Best wishes to you and your family.

Well, my grandmother died this afternoon. The nurse delivered her lunch, left the room, walked back in, and she was dead. Obviously she won't be coming for the christmas BBQ after all. She went quite easily though, no pain, and was of course a tad tipsy on her sherry. Elsie Webber was 93, lived through two world wars, one of them while her husband was doing all sorts of things which to this day remain a tad mysterious. I don't have a lot more to say really.

My condolences... :(

Adam,

I am sorry to hear about your grandmother.
My condolences to you and your family.

Adam, I'm really sorry to hear about your grandmother.
Was that your last conversation?

Thanks all. Yes, Bebelina, that was our last conversation.

I'm sorry to hear that Adam. Peace be with you friend.

my condolences to you and your's...take care.:(

Adam, my sympathies to you and your family.

My cuban grandmother swore on her deathbed that she would rip hitler a new anus when she got there.... i swear.

She was one tough woman. I think the devil must have given her a job.

:( I'm so sorry, Adam. :( Take care. :(

My sympathies to you, Adam.

Sometimes, it is hard to let go of your loved ones. There is never the appropriate words that can make it better. I remember such a day well, nearly 10 years ago. But like yours, mine will never truely be gone as long as she is remembered by those who loved her.

Best wishes to you and your family in this time of grief.

My condolence to you and your family Adam. Take care.

I still think about my Gran with love,who died 41 years ago.
Sorry to hear this Adam.

My granparents died long years ago, the last one to go was my grandmother from my father's side.

She was suffering from plumonia and the familly (I done the driving: so theres your driving insane thread) drove 500miles to say her goodby,...

whilst the others where crying, I just told her she had to greet my granpa if she'd meet up with him, I think that's what I told yeah,.....gosh I loved her.

after a couple of days, I had a dream and I knew, a few hours later my mother called, she had passed away.

My condolences Adam, she's in a better place now.

Love: fukushi

I theoretically had 4 grandparents lol. But really I had only my grandpa. He lived up to 86, vas very active and till the last year went hunting. We were great friends, went to forests together, went fishing, were making things from wood. He learned me to ride a bike in 4 seconds, while other kids vere learning it for months* All my best childhood memories are connected with him. He was a very strong person, both in character and body.
He caught a bad cold once, and..... :(

A person dies only the when nobody remembers of him.
He still lives in my memories


*he took me to a small hill, got me on the bike (first time) and pushed me down the hill. I was very afraid but just kept the pedals moving - and what you know, learned to keep my balace in a split of a seconds.
and never forgot it afterwards


don't wish to talk about the other 3.
2 are dead, 1 still lives.
the one who lives and one who died - both are/were witches (not kidding!). 1 who is dead was a good person but I never really got to know him.