Remembering G-mama

 Last year for Thanksgiving,

I was in Jacksonville, Florida,

Staying at the Holiday Inn Express

Just down the road from G-mama’s Assisted Living Place.

Mom, dad, and I ate lunch with June Gail in the empty breakfast room of the hotel.

We had a picnic lunch of chicken salad, ham, cheese, rolls, chips, crackers, celery, carrots, and pickles,

Then we went to visit G-mama.

 

In her last years of life,

G-mama looked forward to going down to the creek each day.

Someone would roll her down the path to the shelter and then they would just sit for awhile,

Usually alone,

But sometimes with another resident or guest.

G-mama couldn’t see very well, so no one really knows what she saw.

But she’d always inquire about the ducks and the turtles.

Then she’d sit until she was tired and ready to go back inside.

 

Last Thanksgiving, on one of our trips to the creek,

G-mama and I did a little photo shoot.

Looking back at the pictures,

I can see how tired G-mama was.

Even though she was happy to have her family with her,

She was simply tired from living.

 

Nonetheless, G-mama smiled for the camera,

And later answered interview questions,

And even later clapped her hands as she listened to my mom play the piano.

At 99 and a half, with almost all her life past her,

G-mama made the most of her final Thanksgiving,

And I will always be grateful that I was able to be part.

 

For those for whom this day is difficult because they are missing someone they love,

And for those for whom the day is joyous because they are surrounded by those they love,

May the day be everything you need it to be

And may God’s love, peace, and grace be at your core.

 

Amen.