Texas Goodbyes

What a trip. We just returned from Texas visiting families and seeing my Grandmother, Mere-Mere. A month ago Mere-Mere was given less than 3 months to live due to cancer. Sort of a shocker to the family. My grandmother is a strong woman and has lived by herself for the past 14 years while being a diabetic. She is still a very strong woman. She has made it a month since she was given her timeline (which only Heavenly Father really knows when her time is up) and she is still doing things on her own.

We were able to take a week and go down to see her. She was so happy to see us and really enjoyed her time with us. Matthew and Kimberly warmed up to everyone, but especially Mere-Mere. Matthew was playing ball with Mere-Mere the first night we were there. He also could say Mere-Mere and night night which were perfect for Mere-Mere to hear.

My mom has been there since Mere-Mere was given her timeline to take care of her. What a blessing my mother has been to my grandmother. A few years ago my mom decided to take classes and become a CNA. She worked in a nursing home for a couple years until she was physically unable to do it anymore. All her knowledge has come in handy while taking care of my grandmother. Watching my mom made me so proud of her. She is a strong woman. My mom would be CNA Pam while taking care of my grandmother but would be daughter Pam when she would talk personally to her mom. It was sweet to watch. Unfortunately, my mom is taking on a lot of stress and pressure with all this. Every night after she gets my grandmother to bed, she second guesses everything she did for the day, hoping she did enough. I feel so bad for her. Hopefully she will take some advice and talk to the hospice people about all her thoughts on taking care of my grandmother. One bright note for my mom was seeing her grandbabies. She really enjoyed us there.

The last night we were there was the hardest. Knowing that was more than likely the last time I was going to talk and see my grandmother on Earth was very hard to deal with. Just looking around the house and remembering all the memories I had there ... a lot to deal with. I was trying to be strong when telling my grandmother good bye but I still broke down. I love my Mere-Mere more than words can express. She has always been an amazing woman and someone to look up to. I just hope we have enough memories to tell the kids when they get older about their Mere-Mere. Not very many people get to know their great grandparents.

While we were in the big city of Killeen, we did do a couple other things. We got to go to a duck pond and feed the ducks. Between Matthew's eating the bread and feeding the ducks, Kimmy never stopping in her feeding; those ducks and fish were full when we left.

We also made it to visit the gravesites of my grandfather Jon-Jon and my cousin Troy. One main thing I wanted to do was get a picture of Matthew behind Troy's headstone because Matthew was named Matthew Troy after my cousin.

All in all it was a productive trip but one of the saddest. At least the weather was mostly warm and the kids were able to go outside to play. They enjoyed the fact they could go outside, wear shorts, and had to have sunscreen on. They were sure hoping it was good weather back home so they could continue their outside time. Lucky for them, it has been beautiful since we got home.

God be with you Mere-Mere till we meet again!

Blessings to all until next time.