Day Thirty-three

The Passing of the Matriarch

I arrived back in Winter Garden last Sunday. It was a little late so I waited until the following morning to visit my grandmother at the hospital in Clermont. Being unsure of my expectations I approached her room cautiously. How would she look? What would her mental state be; lucid or out of it?

As I sat in the chair next to her bed I reached for her hand and identified myself (she was legally blind and needed verbal id). Her response was an enthusiastic “Hal! Finally someone is here that can take care of my situation.” I responded with, “what can I do you for you?” Having placed both her hands over her mouth she acted as if she were trying to cough and then exclaimed; “Wipe it! Wipe it!” There was a box of tissues on the bed so I grabbed several and proceeded to wipe her mouth. Her immediate indignant response was; “Not my mouth, wipe my a**.”

Ella was there with me and we all three had a good laugh. Gramma was very concerned that they weren’t going to allow her to go home that day but she was back in her own bedroom by three in the afternoon. Hospice was in place and was very helpful. Things went downhill from there as far as her physical and mental state was concerned. The deadline for hospice Critical Care was twice extended and, after a very quiet day Thursday, my grandmother left us at 9:40 p.m.

All arrangements are in place and are in accordance with my grandmother’s wishes. She asked that there be no church service and public viewing. Her wish was for a simple graveside service without a lot of to-do. We are abiding by her instructions and she will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery on Tuesday at 11 a.m.

As I sit here writing, Lee, Julie, and Laurie are due any moment having driven from Myrtle Beach where they were celebrating their tenth anniversary. Kathy is flying in from New York tomorrow evening and other family members are coming from around the country. It is a sad occasion but it is also poignant as this event is a stark demonstration that life goes on.

We will miss Isabel greatly and she was a grand lady. In her ninety-seven years she witnessed many world changing events and mind boggling technological advancement. She watched her family grow and her community change. Through it all, she demonstrated an easy grace and balanced mind. May she rest in peace.