Recent and not so Recent news
I’m not sure how to start this post… it’s been five months since I last made a post (leaving a story two chapters from completion) and so much has happened.
First, for those who only read my journal for stories, I will eventually finish writing Recoil, although that process may not begin until the end of August. For those who know me better (or would like to) I have more to share about the events of the past months.
In the last post I made back in March, I talked about how things were going a little wrong with my older sister and her children and that my mother was coming from Florida to sort things out. Well, just two days before my mother arrived, my grandfather was hospitalised with breathing difficulties. I immediately went to stay with my nan to look after her while grandad was away. After many tests and two very long weeks, it was confirmed that grandad had lung cancer.
My mother and I set about the task of taking care of them both at their home. My little brother and my step-ada came over from the states for a brief visit in early June and enjoyed time with grandad while he was still relatively healthy. My little sister also came over just before them for an extended stay. (She is due to return home on Thursday.)
Many things happened over these intervening months including; many visits from various aunts, uncles and other family; countless visits from doctors and nurses, and the daily tasks of looking after a man who is simply struggling for every breath. I had also started a new job just a week after he first came home the hospital and fought to adjust to some balance myself.
But we managed. Everyone pulled together and we did what we could.
Sadly, at ten minutes passed five yesterday afternoon, grandad passed away. He went peacefully, in his own home, laid in his own bed, and surrounded by his family.
Grandad was the glue that bound this family together and although we will miss him, it was somehow nice to think that last night, he final managed to find the restful slumber that had eluded him over the last couple of months.
For Fredrick Hardy
1934-2010
3 Children
16 Grandchildren
8 Great-grandchildren
And he looked after us all.
It really has been too long since I've posted anything, but I have looked in breifly every now and then, and those few stolen moments wherein I found escape have sustained me. Thank you guys.