This picture was taken Easter of 1996. These are my five nieces. The "outer" two are sisters and the "inner" three are sisters. The girls all had matching dresses because they wore them as flower girl dresses in my wedding the summer before. My oldest niece is now 20. Hard to believe how quickly they have all grown up.The lady in the middle is my grandmother. About a year before this picture was taken my grandmother needed to go live in a nursing home. Shortly after that my father died and I had my grandmother moved to a nursing home closer. For two plus years I visited her every weekend (with the exception of the birth of my son). When she first went in I would pick her up and take her out to lunch or to my house for a visit. When her health and memory started failing I would just go visit her.
I remember one time I went to visit her she was telling me how she went out with the girls to play cards (she hadn't...just thought she did). She said she was wondering if her grandmother knew she wouldn't be home. (Her grandmother raised her because her mother died when she was only two). I told her that her grandmother was gone and that she was 83 years old herself. My poor grandmother started crying to hear that her grandmother had died. After that, when ever she asked I would tell her that I would stop on my way home and let her grandmother know she wouldn't be home that night. My grandmother died two and half years after this picture was taken. I sure do miss her!
When my son was a baby I remember going in his room one day and I smelled my grandmother. I like to think that she was there with him that day.
Deborah of Pictures Pots and Pens is hosting Friday's Favorite Family Fotos. Stop by and see who is joining in on the fun. Be sure to visit them as well.
take care,
Dawn
20 comments:
My mom's Altzheimer's disease got like your grandmother's. She cried the day when she "learned" that her mother died--even though her mother had been dead for over 50 years! sad
Hi Dawn,
YOu were a wonderful granddaughter to your grandmother!
What a sweet story!
Hope you have a wonderful day,
Diane
Your picture is so sweet and I love the beautiful story about your grandmother. Take care.
There is nothing in the world more grand than a grandmother. Well there is too...children and g.children. You know what I mean !
Hi!
Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing! Take Care!!
Sherrie
Oh Dawn,
I love this story and you are so special to have visited her so much! Many times that just doesn't happen. My grandmother had Altzheimer's and she also said things like that. She also was the oldest of 12 and was always wondering where all of the kids were (since she had to take care of them growing up).
I sure miss mine too!
Ah, Dawn. This makes me smile and cry at the same time. I know how much you loved your grandmother.
What a splendid story, Dawn. I'm sure your Grandmother must've loved you so very much and how wonderful to catch her scent in your child's nursery. She paid you a special visit and left you a little calling card. Dana
Dawn, thank you for sharing such a meaningful memory through image and words.
Dawn, sorry my comment is late. I had a very early therapy today. Any way, I am doing well, so they say. I hope so.
The photo of the girls in their matching dresses is so cute. Your grandmother looks so sweet. I know how much she meant to you. That's what makes this photo so special. The baby is wearing a beautiful dress. Priceless.
Hugs, Jeanne
Hi Dawn, What a great post and picture! The girls in their matching dresses are so cute! My grandmother was in a rest home for almost 3 years with dementia before she passed away! Although she forgot a lot, sometimes our actual names, she always recognized Ash and David!
Hope you have a great weekend! ~Rhonda :)
My grandfather was the same way, every time he would ask about about his sister (who'd been dead for years), he would cry when we told him she was dead. Finally, we quit telling him, it was just too cruel to tell the truth.
Your little nieces are adorable!
This reminds me of my great-aunt who was in a nursing home for 5 years. She had no children of her own, so I would go visit her 3 or 4 times a week. I read the Bible to her every visit. Some days she would have the nurses around her bed, leading them in hymns. I sometimes wondered why God was allowing her to hang on so long in that home. I figured He had more work for her to do. I think she touched many lives while she was in that nursing home.
Memories sure flood us with our photos don't they.
That was a sweet post about your grandmothe. I remember a dream after my granny passed and she touched me and it was a vivid to me as a real touch.
I like to think she did
Hugs
Becky
Hey Dawn. i truly love this post about your grandmother and the wedding gals. It is a cute photo. Happy Pink Saturday.
Hi, Dawn. What a wonderful and compassionate post.
ah. I am worried about my own mom, who is 81 now. she is fiercely independent, lives along, and does not ask for help when she needs it. It is a constant balancing act.
How wonderful and loving is your post - I especially love the idea that you could sense your grandmother in the child's room.
Dawn; what a wonderful and sweet photo and memory of your Grandmother. She must have been a lovely lady, and I am sure she was in the room of your young son. Thank you for the lovely story.
Hugs;
Alaura
Hi Dawn, That is such a sweet photo. I miss you at Pink Saturdays. ~ Lynn
Dawn, I had a gang of family this weekend and a big wedding. I didn't post or visit hardly anyone. Where are you girl? I hope you are ok. Thinking of you.
Love...Jeanne
Hi sweet Dawn, thank you for your concern. Yes, I'm so amazed that so many of my blogging buddies were so caring about me and my family! It's good to be back and to be so blessed!!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
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