more for me than for you
Next year I'm heading off to the Solomon Islands with the NZ Army as part of RAMSI. My role will be to an infantry role to help ensure the safety and security of Islands. Basically this entails patrolling the streets, villages, etc, guarding key sites, prison and prisoner details, and humanitarian aid as needed. Bonus training in riot control and a few other good stuff we'll hopefully never have to use.
I have yet to sign a contract but leaving dates are end of Jan for infantry training, 2 weeks, then straight into Pre Deployment Training for a further 6. One week of and then a Herc to the Solomons for 4 months. ETA return end of July, beginning of August.
This is a chance to put training and determination together to make a difference. This is the sort of thing I joined the Army to do. To actually participate in making a difference in other peoples lives. I feel a level of accomplishment, but not self congratulations. This is the sort of thing I want to do.
Be warned leaving drinks for the month of Jan.
My Grandma passed away on Monday morn. I had a rude wakeup call on Saturday morn around 9 when my sister caller with the news that she'd had another major stroke. 4 years ago she had a major stroke that partial paralyzed her left side and although she recovered some use it wasn't enough for her to continue living alone. Roz(sister) left to go to Germany 1 day after the stroke, Mum kept it from her until it was to late fearing that Roz might stay behind and not go overseas. Roz might have not gone if she'd known. I saw her 2 days afterward's in Thames hospital. It was hard seeing this strong independent woman struggling to find words. This was the first time i experience her now infamous "You can go now". She moved into the Ohinemuri house, had a few more minor strokes over the years.
this is the woman introduced me to my love of card games, always had freshly baked chocolate biscuits for us, hide marshmallow eggs allover the property at easter, taught me to play pool, only person who I was scared of washing my mouth out with soap, had a caravan that we took away on holidays( I still have crockery from when it was sold), showed me how to play croquet and taught me much on the theory, had the first Newton's Swing I'd ever seen(and fell in love with),a top loading dishwasher, a proper sitting room(no tv).
I spent Saturday afternoon and some of the night with her. She had been found on the 5 o'clock round unresponsive to sound or pain. When i was there she was on her left side, apparently this was her worse side. Labored breathing with occasional pauses that had Mum looking to make sure that there was still a pulse in Grandma's neck. Next there would be a breath that would rattle in her chest and you could hear the fluid on her lungs. Holding her hand she seamed to respond to that. I'd grip tighter, and she would clench her hand back. After about an hour of me being there, holding her hand, she seemed to sleep/rest/relax. breathing was deeper, less labored but still far from normal.
When they found Grandma, there was little they could do. She had lost the swallow reflex, No more food or liquid. Sending her to Thames hospital would only have resulted in her being put on a drip, having more /better pain meds, but drawing out the inevitable. The staff at Ohinemuri made the right decision to not move her to Thames. she was in her "home", and had the best access for her friends and family in Paeroa at the home.
Roz and I went back after dinner. Spent a few more hours with Grandma. It was hard to say goodbye, knowing that this was likely the last time that I would see her alive.
The call on Monday morning was expected.
It wasn't until Wednesday, talking with Toni, that i started to choke up. 4 years of waiting, 32 days to go. my Grandmother was(I almost put "is") one stubborn woman. I did what I thought was needed. I comforted grandma, I comforted Mum, I supported Dad, I comforted Roz. I did what I thought was needed. I know that they were all there for me as well.It took 2 days and a call from around the globe to hit home.
Today was the funeral ceremony. She's going to be cremated so she can be with Pa Jack. Mum read the eulogy at the service. It was stripped of some emotion, but that was the way that Mum could have done it with out being overcome. Showed what she had down with the starting the IHC, holding every position in the museum committee, work and everything else. Cameron talked about Grandma. fitting all us grandkids around the kitchen table,the greenhouse with the pond with the goldfish in it, home cooking. All those little things that we all remember from being grandkids around her and her house.
It was hard being a pall bearer, also an honor. Saying goodbye to a Lady I knew. I woman I wish I'd spent more time getting to know.