Thank You All For Your Prayers

I just wanted to take a moment to say thanks to all of my BOTL and SOTL's who have been there for me these past few months. For those of you who didn't know, my grandmother's health has been in decline since last Thanksgiving. We have been by her side through blood clots, heart failure, and the miraculous recovery she most recently made when her aneurysm ruptured. 

We lost her this afternoon at 5:52pm, following a massive stroke she suffered this morning. My uncle and I were by her side to bid her one last final farewell and to hold her hands as she departed for the life of eternal happiness in those big rock candy mountains. She was 87 years young and full of **** right up through this very morning at breakfast time.

Grandmom George was like a mother to me from day one. Her and my grandfather gave me all the love in the world and I was fortunate to have had the time we did. Once grandpop died in 2009, I moved into the house in Delaware with her to help keep things in order until 2012 when she was no longer able to walk because of horrible arthritis contracted from an old injury. She spent her last years in the Bethlehem/Allentown area under the care of a wonderful lady named Lisa, who runs a small home care facility out of her house. Lisa was a fantastic caretaker and friend for my grandma and is taking this just as hard as us.

Grandma leaves behind a brother and sister, two sons, five grandchildren, countless nieces, nephews and cousins, and so many cherished memories which will never be forgotten. I am so thankful for having had her in my life for these 27 years. Nothing will ever compare to the relationship we shared. 

This has all happened so fast and we really haven't had time to fully grasp it yet. I know it will hit me like a brick wall sooner than later. For now I'm remembering the good times and trying to be happy because I know she's with her departed mother, father, siblings and my grandpop in a land where she'll never grow old. 

Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers you've given to her and our family. I believe they kept her going. Just last night, while sitting on the porch before bed, I heard a whipporwill for the first time ever in these Pennsylvania mountains. I like to think it was sent as a sign of compassion...