Tomorrow is the day that we move my grandparents, both age 93, from the Assisted Living to the Nursing Home. This is hard stuff, physically and emotionally. They are going from a two room suite into a one room hospital type room. Two years ago, we moved them from a 3 bedroom house into the Assisted Living Suite and that was difficult to do.
My mother and I packed up knick knacks, pictures, clothes, dishes, etc. and most of these life long personal belongings are headed off to Goodwill. It's so hard to do this. To wittle down a couple's life of 93 years to fit into one room and 4 drawers and two feet of closet space. We spend our whole life accumulating, fixing up a house, collecting albums of family pictures, buying new and better furniture, buying china, upgrading your china, buying jewelry, upgrading your jewelry --- you get the idea. Then you are so lucky? to live to 93 years old and be so blessed to be celebrating your 73rd wedding anniversary, and then your family has to clean out your whole life of belongings and pack away or haul away. It's hard and it hurts. We are trying to keep as much as we can, but we're midway or so into the accumulating phase of our own lives now. So in 30-40 years (if we are so lucky?) our kids can take all of our "stuff" to Goodwill. Anyway, makes you think and ponder!
Tomorrow is moving day. Mom and I are going to make the "new space" as pretty and comfortable as we possibly can. Using as much of their own furniture as will fit and hanging as many family pictures that we can.
And baby update - daughter in law, Diana, shows all signs that baby could come any minute. She's started to dilate, lost a little weight, baby's in position and dropped a lot, lots of pressure in the pelvis, and a little blood showing today. I told her tonight or tomorrow was just a little too busy and if she could hold off another day that would be great. My son, Brandon, her husband, is stationed in Spokane (Air Force) and will be home on Friday for 15 days for parental leave. If baby would wait until Friday late afternoon that would be perfect. Whatever happens, happens, though, and we have a very busy few days or so ahead of us.
OK, I've got to get to bed. This went on longer than I thought. Good night!
10 comments:
My Gramma moved from her apartment to a nursing home when she was almost 98! She loved her birds and missed them greatly. I got her this tiny cage with 2 birds that chirped when the sensor was tripped. Drove the staff crazy! Gramma said they sang, "I want some pizza!" Thanks for the memory. You'll be in my prayers. Hope Daddy makes it home in time!
Wow. That is a very sad thing to have to do. I loved how you wrote that! We spend our whole lives accumulating only to give it away at the very end! WOW! I will pray for you over the next few days as I can only imagine that will be a difficult task! I am excited for your new baby too! VERY exciting stuff!
We went through this with my in-laws. It was so hard to do that with all of their belongings. They moved to a retirement facility and my father-in-law passed a couple of months ago at age 94. Mother-in-law is 96 and not ready for the nursing side of the facility just yet. It's so hard. Hang in there, my thoughts are with you.
Yay, for new baby!
Packing up a lifetime is one of the hardest things in life, we did it a few years ago when we moved my husband's mother into an assisted living facility. It was even harder because she had ALS and we knew the move would be the last before the hospice.
At least they can be together and still have a place, no matter how small, to call their own.
Try to get some rest, with the baby coming you are going to need it.
Good luck with your move...and girl I can't imagine 73 years together...WOW!! that's some record right there..Please leu us know about the Baby...I also have one that was due Yesterday a little boy...Great grandson...May you have a great day my friend...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
Nina, Welcome to the "sandwich generation"....the blessings of a new baby, but heart tugs at the elderly difficulties of our loved ones.We moved my FIL from home to assisted living, to a nursing home - sad! He passed away one month before turning 90, but my MIL just celebrated her 91st B'day and still lives in their home. I know you will make their little place lovely. Linda
Sounds like you are experiencing what I call life on life's terms. I also call it the New Normal.
I hope your energy holds up. Good luck with everything. Your blog is wonderful.
I'll be back!
Laura
whitespraypaint.blogspot.com
Oh Nina, this is so sad. Sorry you have to go through all of this. Sounds like they have lived a long and happy life. They are blessed to have you and your family there for them. Congrats on the new baby too.
Nina i understand how difficult this must be for everyone.In India the elderly stay with family till their end and only a small number are placed in homes.Hope your grand ma & pa settle in well.
Nina, I hear you on this one. I felt so badly for my mom when she had to move to a NH. I guess we just have to listen to our common sense and do what we think is best for all.
Doesn't everything happen at once ?
Your new baby news in wonderful. I am very happy for you.
I guess we call it the cycle of life Sometimes sad, and sometimes joyous. Take care of yourself.
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