Gain a Grammy, Lose a Grammy

This is my second consecutive week off work and I'm afraid I may forget how to be an OR nurse. Well, I'm exaggerating a little bit. I haven't had this much time off since before I started at DHMC. I am having a planned vacation this week and I used bereavement leave last week for the first time. My Grammy fell and broke her hip June 9th and passed away the following Saturday night. She was 99 years old and ready to move on. My mom and her sibs decided it was best to not put her through surgery and put her back on hospice (she was receiving hospice care before but it was discontinued because she just wouldn't die lol) and make her as comfortable as possible. They stopped her anticoagulants and she most likely died from a blood clot. There was a private family viewing Tuesday the 14th (she looked very peaceful) and calling hours were at the same funeral parlor on Saturday the 18th. The graveside commital and funeral church service were the next day, Father's Day, and I had been fine until her box of ashes was lowered into the ground beside her first husband by my mom and her sibs. Everyone present then got an opportunity to place a handful of dirt into the hole. There was, however, some comic relief when Maeve (cousin Jaime's 4 yo daughter) wanted to climb into the hole next to Grammy.

The service at the church was nice and brief followed by a small reception of snacks. Everyone got an opportunity to stand up in front of the group to share memories and feelings prior to the reception and a lot of nice things were said. What began the outpouring was Braeden (cousin Jaime's 6 yo son) raising his hand confidently after a brief period of silence and marching up to introduce himself followed by an assertion that his Great Grammy was just great. You were either shocked, laughing, or crying. I will reiterate what I posted on facebook a couple days ago...sometimes you don't realize just how amazing someone is until they are gone. My Grammy was an amazing woman who worked hard and took risks; she was ahead of her time in the fact that she got an education first then married and had children later in life. Pretty atypical for a woman in the 30's and 40's.

The group disbanded and some headed for my mom's to hang out for a bit. We went to dinner and headed across the street to Salt Hill for bar trivia...the Harlow Hecklers kicked ass.

I find it so ironic that my Grammy dies a week after my family meets my Dad's biological mother. Life just isn't meant to be understood. So, Saturday June 4th, my mom, Heather and Dave, Jeff and I pile into my mom's car and we head to Rutland, VT to spend the day with Frances Trono and her sister Cora. Grammy Fran is east from California staying with her sister and helping her move to North Carolina to live with a granddaughter. This visit is coordinated by Sherry and I have mixed feelings of excitement and trepidation...I mean, how often does one get to meet long lost family?! Especially those who became lost under such unfortunate circumstances. The day turned out wonderful and Fran and Cora are lovely, comfortable, down to earth ladies. It was almost as if we had known each other for years with an instant connection and comfort level. We visited, showed pictures, took pictures, ate, drank, and shared stories. The conversation swayed between heavy and light-heartedness broken by laughter and some tears. Saying good-bye was hard but we treated it as see you later. I hope soon I will have the opportunity to pay the Tronos a visit in sunny California. I turned 28 the following Tuesday and the day ended on the brightest note ever...a surprise phone call with Fran and Cora's rendition of Happy Birthday on the other end. Can life get any better?

June 11th was also the day of my 10 year high school reunion. It was fun to gather and connect with some classmates and, not to mention, throw back a few drinks. Got some good pictures. It was, however, different (to say the least) to come home intoxicated and be told that my Grammy passed away.

Life as it is now. Trying to keep up with my GRE preparation and have put the brakes on buying property. I don't think I am ready for the financial and maintenance responsibility quite yet but I still will be moving at the end of the summer. Moving sucks but I really need a bigger and brighter place. Xander will be happier too. I still have 6 days left before going back to work and I will do my best to make the best of them. Studying, exercising, and hopefully completing my VHS project which has been on the backburner for some time now.

Must do some studying now then go pick up my recently purchased GPS. And I will conclude by saying that the new elliptical onsite is quite delightful...