I wanted to let everyone know that reads this, (if there is anyone left out there reading at all, lol), that I’m well aware that I’ve been neglecting this blog.  I eluded to why last time I posted I think, but am now in a spot where I can give a bit more information that will explain my vanishing act.

Some time ago, must be about 8 years ago now, my paternal grandmother, whom I’m very close to, was diagnosed with Leukemia.  She has been battling since the day we all found out, even hitting patches of “remission.”  With all that, a few years ago, she was diagnosed with colon cancer.  Thankfully she pulled through that, the surgeon got it all, and it was said and done.

Flash forward to April.  She spent approximately two weeks of April in the hospital, over the course of two separate stays.  She’s been sick more than she has been well, and frankly the treatments just weren’t working any longer.  She decided to stop treatment and entered hospice care.  She is now living with my parents, and we are all spending what time with her we can.  Hospice has been a great support thus far, and helped Denny and I give our kids some idea as to what is going on and how to answer, “Why is GiGi living with MiMi and PaPa?” and “Can we catch it?” types of questions.  Looking back, I now see that all these years instead of saying, “Oh, no you can’t stay with GiGi today because she doesn’t feel good.” wasn’t the best option.  We really should have been more upfront about it from the start.  But it is what it is.

It’s draining to watch someone you love so very much fade away.  On the flip side, it has to be far harder to be my Grandma, who is really just waiting.  I can’t imagine how hard it was to leave the home shes been living in since 1960, and knowing she wasn’t ever going to see it again.  It’s hard all around.

So, there is the cliff note explanation as to where I’ve been in life and really where I’ll continue to be for what I assume to be the next several weeks.  One never knows…

Go tell the ones you love how much they mean to you!!

~j