Promenade home

I can’t believe how time has flown by since my last post.

Obviously, much has happened.

Caretaking is one of those things that comes up and you are never ready. My husband’s first heart attack was pretty severe 20 years ago. Our kids were 5 and 11 months. We were trying to file for assistance when he started having symptoms of another attack, only this time to his bowel – Ischemic Bowel was described to me by his doctor much like a heart attack, but to his bowel.

He lost 60 pounds very quickly & wore a bag of antibiotics.

I truly don’t feel like this family has ever healed from that! My mom was there for anything I needed during those icky days, mostly just a phone call so I could talk about something other than doctor stuff. She’d sometimes make a huge dinner of chicken & noodles for herself & bring the extras over for us. The kids loved Gma time.

Just about 3 years ago, mom was getting a little more than just forgetful. Her doctor called me to make sure that I’d be there for mom’s appointment. Alzheimer’s was quickly taking her memory away.

The girls, Lloyd and I had always included my mom in everything. She was missing out of her youngest granddaughter’s senior year of activities and it is still very hard for Janelle. No one knew how close those two were. They talked or saw each other every day of Janelle’s life.

Our last sleepover with Grandma was a Girl’s Only party at the nursing home. Her neighbor had just moved out so we had two beds; two chairs; and lots of floor space. The best nurses and CNAs checked on us all night. We all had a great time, especially Janelle.

Dad died on my brother’s birthday; and mom passed away on mine in 2023. It seemed like the right time for each to go.

Janelle always wanted to adopt a grandpa because dad died before the girls were born. Mom, let Dad Swing his pretty little girl and Prominade her home.

They were each other’s perfect square dance partner. Mommy had told Janelle that she wasn’t looking for another man, she already found her heart & she wasn’t about to start training a new man!! (To dance, right Gma?)