I remember those days when I would be at my Grandma and Grandpa Klaus’s house, I’d go for walks with them, go to parks, make tuna sandwiches for lunch at a sleepover. But not anymore. My Grandma has been getting weaker, losing her hair, becoming more pail by the day. We visit her house a lot, and check up on …show more content…
her. Mom and dad say that Grandma is sick, and we need to spend as much time with her as possible. She doesn’t really go outside much, however, this Easter she is sitting on the porch in the back yard. Seeing her watching us have this much fun, she is practically beaming. And this time, for just a short morning, I don’t see the pain in her eyes.
It’s now about a week into May, but even though I constantly pray to God, Grandma hasn't been getting any better. It doesn’t help that Grandma decided to stop taking her medication about a month ago.I am surrounded by my sister Victoria and one of my cousins Grant. We are currently outside on the porch swing sitting and talking. Today a doctor came to look at Grandma, and he said that she has about three more months to live at the most. Once hearing those words, I was devastated. After a while the trio of us went into the house to say hi to everyone in there.
It was getting close to the afternoon when my parents told Victoria and I to say our goodbyes. We were told that we would be spending the night with our other grandparents on my mom’s side, the Krause’s. Together we made our way around the house saying goodbye to everyone. Lastly we ended up by our grandparents room, where our Grandma Klaus we lying down in their bed. The both of us had known thats where she’d be. That’s usually one of the only places she is. As soon as I entered the bedroom with Victoria holding my hand, we walked over to the bedside and climbed up. There we stayed guard, each of us snuggled up under one of our Grandma’s arms. And I know, as I was lying there, I could feel the sense of urgency, so I asked her, “Grandma, you won’t ever leave us, right? You said that you loved us too much to go away.” As she looked down at us with loving and solemn eyes, she answered, “No matter what happens to me, I will always be with you.” As I rested my head back down on her side, I closed my eyes and just focused with being there with her. Not much later our parents came in and told us that it was time to leave for our other grandparents house. “I love you Grandma.” I said as I gave her one last embrace. I kissed her cheek and we locked eyes as she squeezed my hand before I left.
Two days later, we were back home.
Victoria and I had spent the night before and some of the day at our Grandpa and Grandma Krause’s house. Now my sister and I were snuggled up together in blankets in the living room. On an early Saturday, and as is tradition, we are watching my dad’s collection of looney tunes. “Girls,” dad says, “your mother and I have something we need to discuss.” As I turned around to face him, I could tell that something wasn’t right. His brows were furrowed, around his eyes were red and puffy, and as I looked into his eyes for an answer, all I saw was worry, loss, despair, and loneliness. “Last night,... Last night Grandma Klaus passed away.” Those words hit me like the planes hit the twin towers. There was an explosion of emotion, as my memories fueled the tears that came out of my eyes, like smoke rising from the towers. Then slowly I collapsed into despair. My eyes stung as the tears continued to pour out of my eyes onto my wet pillowcase. I had finally stopped wailing, however I continued to cry; making no noise, as my body continued to tremble with hate, loss, and
anguish.
A few days later, we had her funeral. As I watched her lying there, she looked like she was sleeping; but she looked a little too gray. Before leaving her side, I reached out my hand to give hers one last squeeze. As I tried to squeeze her hand, I couldn’t; it was cold and stiff. I shrank back at the touch, as I started cry. I wondered why, why would God take away this amazing person from my life. She was an idol for me. She taught me how to be kind, how to make the best out of a bad situation, how to forgive, and most importantly to love everyone. Now, as I look back to this time, I don’t think about my Grandma being sick, and giving up because her medicine didn’t work. I look back and I see how strong she was, how she battled this and never let it stop her, how she pushed through to the end. I will always remember the way her eyes would light up when she smiled, and how whenever I was sad or upset, her hugs alone would melt away the hurt, anger, hate, and loneliness; and fill me with comfort, love, and hope.