I'm back in Ohio, helping to settle my grandmother's estate/house. Seems there's just enough minutes in the day to get everything done that needs done.... I've literally fallen into bed the last few nights, exhausted.
Grandmother is in the nursing home; she has her days, some good, some not so good. Dementia is beginning to rear its ugly head. I hate it. There is nothing sadder than to see a feisty, stubborn and headstrong woman become someone you no longer know. Oh sure, there have been times over the course of all our lifetimes that we've wanted to rip her head off in frustration and sheer aggravation at how difficult she could make everyone's life, especially after grandfather died.
But you know what? When it comes right down to it, for all her sarcasm and tartness and loose lips and yes, occasionally her meanness, she's family. I mean, c'mon, there's not one of us who's perfect. We all have our faults and defects, our little quirks that irritate other family members to the nth degree! But my gramma is OLD family...93 years of history, 93 years of knowledge, 93 years of laughter and tears, of happiness and sadness. The last standing member of a generation soon to be lost forever.
How hard it is to clear out all the kitty and dog figurines, all the silly flower pillows and bird pillows, all the movies and CDs, family photos, her clothes and beloved jewelry, her furniture, the donkey statue in the backyard that us kids "rode" when we were just toddlers.... so many memories and what can you do with all those concrete pieces of memory? One person just can't feasibly hang onto the entire contents of another family member's house, especially 62 years worth.
And so it is with sad hearts that many things are relinquished - to be sold, to be donated, to be *gasp* trashed.
Imagine. Someday. It happens to all of us. Our treasures are usually only OUR treasures. Our treasures become someone else's headache.
Just another reminder that it's all STUFF. A reminder to make the most of everyday, to hug those you love.. especially your dogs! *grin*
{I must apologize for the lack of photos here.... I neglected to bring my card reader. Duh.}
