My Dear, Sweet Grandma

This is is my dad's mom, my sweet Grandma Barney. She is the best person I know - never talks bad about anyone and loves her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and even great, great grandchildren fiercely. She is in her late 80's and she still tries to go to as many special events for her grandchildren as she can. She was just here with us for Thanksgiving.

Two weeks ago she fell outside getting her mail and broke her hip. Luckily, a passerby found her (she lives alone) and called 911. She has been in the hospital for two weeks and has gotten progressively worse. She seems to have dementia and doesn't even recognize her children. It's so so sad and I have been in denial, thinking she was still going to come out of it. She is such a strong woman! I guess she is being released on Wednesday and basically going home to die. This makes me sadder than I can tell you. The only thing that is neat about it is that she was born in the bedroom she still sleeps in and it sounds like she will die there too.

Grandma always made me feel like I was the favorite, even though I'm sure she made all of her grandkids feel that way. I was the first grandchild so I'm sure she really does love me the best...ha ha. I got my love of Coke from her (she used to sneek me glasses of it when my parents weren't looking), my love of black licorice, she taught me to tie quilts, and I got my fierce love of my family and grandchildren from her. I will miss her so much and I'm still hoping for a miracle. She isn't really recognizing anyone right now, but if I could I would tell her how much I love her and how much she has influenced my life. I hope that I can be half the grandma she was to me. I love you grandma!

Love,

Kirsten

P.S. She made me laugh so hard once 'cuz she told me she thought Dick Cheney was sexy!! :)