A Hard Start to the Year

On Saturday, January 1st, James' Grandma had a massive stroke. He frequently goes to visit her on Saturdays with the girls when I am at work. He called to set up a time to go over and when she didn't answer the phone, he became worried something was wrong. James' Dad went to check on her and found her lying on her bed. They got her to the hospital and found out she had a clot from her neck up to her brain 6" long. There was nothing medically that could be done to reverse the effects. She was able to communicate initially and enjoy a few more days with her grandchildren by her side. Even after she lost the ability to communicate verbally, she was able to respond in writing. Her grandchildren pushed to get her home with hospice where she could die peacefully in her home. The night before she passed away, she was able to write that she had had a good life and that it was nice to be at home to die, where it still smelled the same. She passed away very peacefully. We will miss her. Our girls loved her! They were able to spend a lot of time with her. It was devastating to have to share the sad news with our girls, especially Adalyn. She was able to go and see her in the hospital when she was still able to talk and gave her a "doctor" bear to comfort her. Ultimately, she is happy for Great Grandma to get to be with her husband and 2 children that died before she did. Adalyn and Ava got to pick some things from Great Grandma's house to remember her. We have laughed because Grandma was Catholic and Ava chose a rosary and a Jesus statue. We have been teaching Ava how to pray and no matter what we tell her to say, she just says "Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus." I don't think Saturdays will ever be the same. James is still realizing just how much he is missing her every Saturday she isn't here.