"Great" Day ~ April 14

On the 14th of April, Mo, Ed, L, Ic, and I made the trek to a town South of us to have the girls meet their 'new' Great Grandmother. Grandma was in the hospital then, and had a very uphill battle to get healthy enough to return to her apartment. I think we all knew that her time on earth was drawing to a close.

We arrived at the hospital armed with a little handful of pussy-willows, one of Grandma's favorites. Grandma was sitting in a chair, with a twinkle in her eye and big smile on her face. She seemed quite delighted to meet the girls, and they were excited to meet her... though they stayed reserved and nervous. It was a sweet time.

When we left the hospital, the girls were full of questions... especially, "Where is Great-Grandma's home?" They begged to see it. Instead of bringing them to an apartment building, we headed over to the home-place... the farm. That is really the place she would call home.
Once there, we found Uncle Allen working in his shop. He accepted the interruption with a big grin and warm greetings. After some chatting time we headed over to the famous tire swing, where he gave each kid a ride. Well... at least L, Ic, and Ed had rides at thrilling heights. Mo was terrified to even touch the swing. We eventually coaxed her into sitting in it briefly to give us her super model smile for a photo. She did seem to want to swing, but her insecurity won out. Uncle Allen was great with them all, and they left thinking he was a pretty cool guy - I would agree.

We loaded back into the van and headed West, just down the block to Uncle Larry's house. As we drove by his land, we could see Uncle Larry's truck back in the field but decided to check at the house anyway. Aunt Karen was quite surprised to find us at her door, and a few minutes later Uncle Larry drove into the yard. We all wandered to the back yard to see the critters and sights. While Uncle Larry and I were chatting, the girls, Ic, and Aunt Karen disappeared into a little building to look at her rabbits. I went to find them back, and felt transported back in time as I stepped into Aunt Karen's rabbit building - a whole childhood of fascinating memories flooded back, complete with the smell of rabbits!

Then, while Aunt Karen and I were chatting, the girls, Ic, and Uncle Larry disappeared. A few moments later they zoomed back into view, all aboard Uncle Larry's golf cart. Seeing them all piled on and laughing was not a big surprise - seeing Ed DRIVING was a definite surprise! Each child got a turn driving this foreign contraption, with Uncle Larry chuckling the whole time. Despite the fact that he was sitting right with them controlling the gas petal and his hand ready to grab the steering wheel, the trees and barn more than once took the brunt of their driving!
We eventually extracted the girls from the golf cart, gave our farewells, and loaded into the van for the drive home.
I can't even describe the feelings I had watching my new children connect with such a deep part of my childhood. Some of the dearest people in my world welcomed them lovingly, just as they had loved me through my childhood.

Less than a week later I talked to Grandma on the phone for the last time. I told her that I loved her and said my good-byes. She told me she loved me, and said that it had been so good to meet the girls. The next day she was no longer able to speak, and the day after that she left for heaven. We gathered together for Grandma's funeral the following Sunday afternoon, where the girls got to meet more family and see the Great Uncles and Aunts again.

I treasure the sight of my Grandmother, my hero, so proud to meet her new great-grandchildren... And my Uncles and Aunt, who gave the girls such a memorable day. What fun to watch my kids enjoy the Greats.