Special Night

My mom called me on Sunday (12/28) afternoon to let me know that my grandma wasn't doing well.  She has been in hospice for a few months and we knew she was failing but she has kept hanging on.  We had just stopped to see her on Friday, 12/26 on our way home from Iowa.  She had just had a bath and was in her chair, resting.  She wasn't very responsive but she was awake and alert.  Madelyn was so excited to give her the book we (from Carla & our family) made her.  Madelyn was telling Great Gma who everyone was in the pictures.  Grandma hardly responded.  At that time we didn't think much of it as my mom had been to visit her on Christmas Day and she was talking and much more alert.  She has had good days and not-so-good days so we just thought this was one of the not-so-good days.

My sister went down to Owatonna on Monday (12/29) and said my grandma wasn't doing well. We decided to go down and visit grandma that afternoon.  Ryan & I picked up the kids and headed to Owatonna.  We got there around 5:00 pm and met Carla, Luke, Bishop, Nora and my mom at Clarebridge.  My grandma was just laying there but you could tell she knew we were there as she would respond by trying to open her eyes when she heard our voices and felt our touches. 

We said good-bye to grandma and went back to my parent's house for dinner and family time.  We knew it was only a matter of time and for my grandma's sake we were hoping it would be soon and she would be comfortable.

She passed at 11:30 pm on Monday (12/29) evening her sleep.  For as sad as it is that she isn't here with us anymore, it is a blessing to know she is reunited with grandpa and free from the dementia that has hindered her for the past few years.  It was a special night as we were all together with her and that is exactly what she would have wanted.  She loved her family so much and would do anything for any of us!  We are so blessed she was our grandma and great-grandma!

The kids watching a movie on Monday evening before we all headed home.