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Life Goes On

There is nothing like a visit from the grand children to remind one that life goes on.  I spent Friday night at my daughter's and then brought the kids back home with me.  I did not get to see so much of them this past summer and it was a birthday gift to my daughter (who just turned 40!) to have a couple of days to herself.

She probably spent them in her son's room playing Lego StarWars.  Dane tried to teach me how to play this video game--a hopeless task if ever there was one.  "Concentrate, Grandma!  You have to concentrate!"  I do have a hard time with sustained concentration lately, but in this case I had no clue what it was that needed concentration.  He finally took the controls away from me (thank-you!).

It's amazing how long he can amuse himself at my house being out side on a scooter or helping me in the yard, especially if it involves a hose.  Inside, they both sit and draw or craft for hours.  Just before bed, Dane did say, "No offense, Grandma, but I miss my Lego StarWars.  It's okay though.  I had fun today."

Happy tears come easily, too.

Comments

  1. Thank God for children and grandchildren. They certainly can raise your spirits. I'm glad you have them close by.

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  2. So glad you had the grandies for the weekend. They may say the darndest things, but they warm our hearts.

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    1. Another comment from Dane after he had asked a question: "Never mind, Grandma. Let's not talk about Mike right now because I don't want you to be sad."

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  3. Glad that you had a nice weekend with the grandchildren. No surprise about problems with concentration, I can only imagine that it is really difficult. Take what comfort you can find and as you say life must go on. Bless you Olga, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

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    1. Thank you. I have definitely not run out of the need for thoughts and prayers.

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  4. Grandchildren are the best medicine. Glad you spent some quality time with them. My thoughts are with you.

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    1. It was good to have them for a couple days of diversion. They do keep me entertained when they are around.

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  5. I'm so glad to see a blog post from you - today more than ever. Am thinking of you every day and hope to see you soon.

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    1. I plan to join you next Monday, although I won't have much writing to share.

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  6. Yep, it's times like this that will get you through. As for playing video games, I'm clueless and I have no desire to learn.
    Thinking of you lots.

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    1. I am not much of a game person to begin with, but the video games don't have any appeal for me either.

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  7. You have such a sweet grandson. He reminds me of my Rylan.

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  8. That had to be a good thing to have the kids to entertain you. That you measured up pretty well compared to Lego Star Wars should be taken as a huge compliment.
    Thinking of you and good to see your post.

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    1. I do let him make silly videos on my laptop so he is not completely technology deprived. My grand daughter usually brings her ipad, but she had left it on the school bus Friday afternoon. Fortunately for her, her friend found it and she will get it back. ADHD-Inattentive type?

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  9. I'm so glad the kids are with you. I do believe kids usually focus you to the future and can lift your spirits. I love that "no offense". The most important thing, of course is the "I had fun today." There's a lot of love here.

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    1. They are both sensitive kids and it was good to have them around for the weekend. Plus it gave my neighbors a break from checking up on me.

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  10. I had my granddaughters for one day last week. I love them bunches AND they wear me out!

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    1. I did sleep well while they were here. I read your post about taking the grand daughters to the airport and I was exhausted myself.

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  11. Olga, I have been unaware, until this morning, of your loss. Deepest sympathy to you. I was glad to read that Mike did it on his own terms.

    Thank God for your grandchildren!

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  12. Nice. You make me want to have grandchildren. And I certainly hear you on the problem with . . . what was it again?

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  13. For some reason grandchildren are the easiest people to be around. They seem to make it easier to move on without having to do a lot of talking about sorrow and they can sure bring on the laughter...just like their grandpa did.

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    1. My grand kids are pretty sensitive and somber looking most of the time, but I do get a kick out the things they say. Mike definitely had a way of making me laugh---a very dry sense of humor.

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  14. Grandchildren do have a wonderful way of bringing smiles to our face. What a great gift for your daughter, too! My daughter says she turned 40 this year but I'm quite sure that isn't possible. Glad you're having brighter days.

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    1. I know, how do our kids get to be older than we are?

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  15. I wonder if you were thinking of Edna St Vincent Millay's "Lament" when you titled this post...

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    1. I was not thinking of Lament, but it is appropriate. I have picked out, in a similar vein, "Death Calls Us to the Things of This World" by Alexie Sherman to read at the service.

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    2. I had not seen that poem. It's a strong one and, I am quite sure, most certainly expresses your feelings.

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  16. Nothing like Grandchildren to get you into the present moment. It sounds like you managed to make an impression right up there with Star Wars - good job! I often think of you on my walks, Olga.

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    1. It is nice to know that I am thought of so close to heaven.

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    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    4. Stutter on the publish button.

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  17. Olga, my dear. It gets easier. Each time you think about him, and honour his spirit, you will appreciate the good man you shared your life with. Grief, mourning and bereavement are different things. You model this for your children and grandchildren, as you do most fittingly.
    You've made it through the hardest first week, then you take each day as best you can. Give yourself permission to grieve. It is part of the healing.
    Many hugs. /hospice volunteer

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer. I will follow that link because learning about what to expect helps me a great deal. I have to say that the palliative care team at the hospital was an excellent, but the two most helpful people I encountered were the last day nurse and the housekeeper. The housekeeper was so respectful and she sat with me early Sunday morning and talked about the stages of dying in away that was so down to earth and real. I will never forget her. And Mike's nurse, Brian, I don't even know what to say. I think he was an actual angel visiting earth for the day. Mike's death was as wondrous and as beautiful as a birth.

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  18. Lego Star Wars! We went through that some years back. I was hopeless. I don't have any interest in video games. I guess I am the wrong demographic. I am glad to see you are blogging. I am thinking of you.

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    1. My daughter and grand daughter ask me to play so they can laugh at my ineptitude. My grand son is determined to teach me.

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  19. I'm smiling for you, and for having your grandchildren help to patch the hole in your heart. Happy tears are good tears.

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    1. Tears of all kinds seem to be the order of the day for me these past weeks.

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