I don't know about you, but I sure had a strange week!
Here are the notable points:
* 2 of 15 people in a department at work were hospitalized (for separate reasons)
* I moved offices at work, I no longer work in the 5000 degree basement!
* A private correspondence at work was somehow forwarded to the ummm, topic person. Resulting in very uncomfortable situations.
* Shep got worms. Ewww. But all is well now.
* I was able to make a fist all by myself! Yay
And finally, the weird curse that seems to hover around my birthday struck again.
My paternal grandmother passed on this Thursday. We weren't close, I don't think that I have seen her in the past 20 years. But the hard part about her passing is that it hurts my dad. I know that it was never easy on him that our families didn't get along, and he had spent a lot of time in the last year taking care of them from afar. Both of his parents had some pretty serious dementia and he had transitioned them to a group home, and then into a full care facility. One positive light is that my Dad got to visit with them last week. My grandmother had actually recognized him and had given him a very long hug. I'm so happy that he has that memory!
Here are the few memories that I have of this grandmother:
* She liked to crochet, and attempted to teach me. She was unsuccessful.
* We gave them a clock for an anniversary once.
* When we went to visit them in Arizona, she boiled a ham in milk and then forced us to eat it. To this day, I can't stand pork (except for bacon)
* She made divinity and fudge.
The part of her passing that makes me really upset though, is what I feel is the lack of support for my Dad. When he told me that she had passed, my first thought was We'll be there to help you through this. Unfortunately, it seems that the rest of my family did not feel the same. I heard the comments "I didn't like her/know her, why would I want to go?" and "I don't need closure." These sentiments just break my heart. The comments have been made that I lack empathy and compassion (I don't agree, as I don't seem to be a sociopath) but I firmly believe that if someone is hurting, you help them and you support them. Funerals aren't for the person who passed on, they are for the people left behind. I mean, how would you feel if your mom died and the response of your loved once was "well, I didn't like her, but I'll go if I have to"?
(One theme that has bothered me for years is the way that my family supports each other. It simply doesn't come across in a manner that soothes me.)
And back to the curse... This is now my 4th family member that has died right around my birthday..... so weird.
Here's remembering, and missing you:
Grandpa
Uncle Ducky
Aunt Ruthy
Grandma
OK, enough of this feeling and sharing. I'm off to the football game we won free tickets to....
