My Grandfather Has A New Address

by | Dec 3, 2013 | Heavy on the Heart | 13 comments

Me and my pop!

For the last nine years of my life, every time I have went home to see my parents, I was always greeted by, not only my mom and dad, but my pop too. The next visit will be a little different, though. My pop will no longer be there, because as of yesterday, he has a new address; a nursing home.
When my pop first came to live with my parents, he was a 76 year old man who was still capable of doing the things he loved; fishing, walking, going for rides on his bike, and planting his vegetable gardens.  I remember thinking that there was nothing that could possibly slow him down. But, unfortunately there was. Over the last couple of years, not only have I watched him completely lose interest in everything he once loved to do, but I’ve watched him decline faster than I ever thought possible. I’ve also watched how both his Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease has completely taken away who my pop once was.
And that’s been hard.  

But do you want to know what’s been even harder for me through all of this?  Watching how this has impacted my parent’s life. Knowing that what I’m feeling doesn’t even hold a candle, I’m sure, to how my mom is feeling because, after all, it’s her own father. Knowing how hard the decision of moving him was for her to make, and knowing that she prolonged it as much as she could.  And knowing that going forward, she will probably even worry more about him because he will no longer be in the room directly across from her. I always knew that my mom was patient, strong, and unbelievably selfless, but over the last few years I have witnessed these qualities time and time again while taking care of my pop.

So, as much as it breaks my heart to know that the next time I go home, I will no longer see my pop sitting on his couch, or sleeping in his bed, or sitting at his end of the dinner table, I’m so happy that my parents will be able to finally start doing some of the things they’ve always wanted to do. 

And although there is nothing but mixed emotions right now, I’m just so lucky that I had those last nine years to get to know my grandfather in a way that I know I would never have had otherwise.


 


post signature

13 Comments

  1. Kathy@MoreCoffeeLessTalky

    getting old sucks 🙁 i'm so sorry to hear that your pop's ailments have gotten worse; it's tough to see things like that.

    hugs
    xoxoxo

    Reply
  2. Suburban prep

    It is hard watching someone you love age. My MIL has Parkinsons and it is not a kind disease. My Uncle had it so I know how it goes. Both of my parents have been through some hard times in the last few years –my father had a stroke and my mother had two aortic dissections.
    But health issues strike everyone as I have a 2 1/2 yrs old niece who has a very major heart health issue and she is a walking talking miracle. She will need a heart transplant but for now she doesn't know any better.
    Prayers for you and your family.

    Reply
  3. Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often

    That must have been a really hard decision for your Mom to make. Just cherish as much time and you can with him.

    Reply
  4. Pleas(e) and Carrots

    I'm sorry your family is going through this. We definitely have gone though this and it isn't easy. Thinking about you!!

    Reply
  5. Alex[andra]

    Sorry to hear about what your family is going through. It's definitely wonderful that you got to spend a lot of time getting to know him before he went through Parkison's and got Alzheimer's.

    I hope the home treats him very well!

    Reply
  6. Anonymous

    While it's incredibly difficult, your parents made the right decision. If he's in a good nursing home, which I'm sure he is, you can rest easy. Those staff members love their residents like family. Your mom can still visit and care for him like she once did, but much of the responsibility is not there. Thinking of your family during this transition, but it will all work out for the best. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Stephanie

    I hope he enjoys his new residence, and finds some great friends there. It must be very hard for your mom, but he'll be in good hands. I love that photo of you two, so sweet!

    Reply
  8. Seriously Kate

    That is so tough. I'm getting to that age where my grandparents are either no longer or with us or probably not far from it. My grandmother has Alzheimer's and I'm terrible about visiting her because its jus so hard to see her that way. And you're right, I can't even begin to imagine how my mother and her sisters feel. 🙁

    I sure hope his stay is a good one. Sometimes it's those activities that just encourage them and bein life into them again! 🙂

    Reply
  9. Jessica

    Thanks so much for sharing this. Watching the people we love so much get older is really hard. I am not sure there is anything we can do to prepare for it 🙁

    What a beautiful picture of you two!

    Reply
  10. The Modern Tulip

    He looks precious! I'm sure he will adjust well. Prayers for you, your parents and your pop.

    Reply
  11. Anonymous

    It was really hard for my parents to move my grandpa into a nursing home, but he needed to be taken care of by nurses – my parents just couldn't give him what he needed. I hope your grandpa has a smooth transition. 🙂

    Reply
  12. The Peanut Program

    this is awful. i'm so sorry. i watched my grandma's health decline at a rapid rate and it was very sad watching my mom deal with it. i hope all goes well in his new home and they treat him good there.

    Reply
  13. Anonymous

    That is so very sweet that your parents brought him in to live with them. I'm sure the decision they had to make to move him to a nursing home was extremely hard. Sounds like your mom & my mom are pretty similar. I just did a post on my mom today 🙂
    I'm so sorry that your grandfather's diseases have taken such a toll on him. It really is so so sad to see the ones we love like that.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meet Renée

Well, hello there! I'm Renée. Cost controller by day, (unpaid) dog walker by night, and full time traveler by day dreams. This is my place to share a little of my life and even more of my ramblings. I'm so glad you're here!

Archives

Categories

Readers Are Loving

Subscribe