Monday, February 10, 2014

I Like You

My grandma turns ninety-six today, and we gathered in the nursing home yesterday to celebrate. I was just telling Jim: I love my mom's people. They're so chill. Just really nice people. They don't much get their feathers ruffled, and if they do, it's in secret. They stay out of each other's business and avoid high drama. They love each other well, I think.

I'd looked forward to seeing the family but hadn't held high expectations in terms of my interaction with Grandma. It's easier that way. It's been over five years since I've heard her speak my name, and anymore, seems like I understand her words but not necessarily how they're supposed to be working together. I want to blow a whistle at them and demand they get back in line.

We keep losing her in bits, but I love her, so I go. And isn't ninety-six an impressive number?

I knelt beside her with my low expectations yesterday, and the most surprising thing happened: she leaned over the side of her wheelchair and, with great passion, kissed me over and over again on the forehead. Then she sat up a little, looked me in the eyes, and said: "I like you."

Through my tears, I choked out: "You do? I like you, too!"

"Then we're for each other," she said and descended a second time upon my forehead with her rapid-fire kisses.

10 comments:

  1. Good luck to your grandma. She's had a good innings!

    Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

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  2. How sweet! What a precious shared moment!

    The last couple of years with my father, he often forgot my name, but never forgot he loved me.

    In some way I can't really describe, that seems so precious to me...to know that even when the dementia made it hard to recollect my name he still remembered that he loved me.

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  3. Hey there, Can you send me your email? You disappeared off my email and I wanted to send you a message. Thank you so much for your comment and the scripture you sent on my blog. It is so timely with my kiddos right now. I am going to use your mom's example and have my kiddos memorize this. I didn't grow up in a Christian home so I don't have these Godly examples to follow in my life. But, God sends me angels like you and I'm so thankful. He knows just what I need.

    So sad you can't come to Phoenix :( Boo. God has other plans for us. Maybe I will come visit you someday. Love you, my friend. I will pray for you with your 4 kiddos and blessed life today.

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  4. Aww. That is precious. Love, love, and LIKE it:)

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  5. Brandee, I sigh, when I read this I see me when I get old, I will kiss because words just won't be enough. What a memory to hold deep in your heart forever. This will give me happy memories tonight of my gram. Thank you!

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  6. Oh the tears are coming out now. What a precious and beautiful moment.

    (and also - what a blessing to have a side of a family that loves well and avoids high drama - I have no idea what that is like! ha!)

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  7. I think that ANDREA is the spitting image of your gma in her younger years...I love this photo , especially the black and white, it is just ...so....perfect...do you have a photo of her younger? was she blonde? she has good taste in the people she likes, this I know!

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    1. Grandma had dark hair. But I will say that I think--of the seven children--Andrea's dad looks most like Grandma. I just asked Mom what she thinks, and she thinks she looks most like Grandma.

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  8. This is so touching. I'm trying to get caught up on your blog:).

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