My sweet Grandpa Jack has been in the hospital the last couple of days. On Sunday, Oct. 21st we stopped to see him on our way to dinner at my parents. He was doing a bit better physically and was quick to welcome each person by name. He even asked about Aly and Michael in Louisiana. His hearing aids were not working which made it difficult to carry on a conversation, but we were just thankful to see him, kiss his cheeks and hold his hand.
Just as we were about to leave the nurse brought in his dinner. For a second I was wondering what I should do. I had the roast for dinner in my car, I still had to make the gravy for the dinner that we were already late for and Davis and Isaac were sitting out in the car with our new puppy who cannot be left unsupervised (more on this later). I was worried about all the people I would put out if I stayed to feed my Grandpa his dinner.
I know my time with my Grandpa is growing short. I realized what a sweet opportunity I had to literally "serve" my grandpa dinner. I asked my sister to take the roast and finish the gravy and then I tried to just be present and not worry about time. We visited as he slowly took one small bite after another. He told us about the wealthy boy in his high school that would walk to town everyday and buy a sleeve of fig newtons for lunch. Everyone was so jealous, even the teachers, because Fig Newtons are so yummy (to him at least). Then he offered his Fig Newton to Addie. Addie does not have the same affection for Fig Newtons, so I tried to talk Grandpa into just finishing it because that was the only dessert he was going to get that night. That is just one little example of the giving nature of my Grandpa.
I am thankful for my sister, my mom, Davis, Isaac and the rest of the family for being gracious, so that I was able to spend those precious moments with my Grandpa.
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| Joyce, Grandpa Jack and Davis (Memorial Day 2012) |
