When she was in her eighties a
lifetime of health problems finally caught up with my Grandmother and forced her
into a nursing home. It was a difficult time for us all. I had grown up in her
home as a child and lived just across the road from her as an adult. It was hard
seeing her then losing weight and confined to a wheelchair. Still, we adjusted.
My children and I would load up the car every Saturday for the 25 mile trip to
visit her. She always had a tender hug and loving kiss waiting for us. The
nurses there fell in love with her too. Her loving but feisty spirit touched
them all. She made them laugh and smile and sometimes even taught them a few
choice words of Italian that they didn’t need to know. I can remember the whole
family gathering to celebrate her 90th birthday in that nursing home cafeteria.
The entire room was filled with love.
In the last few years of her life, however, my
Grandma’s mind started to fail her as well. Sometimes she would know us when we
visited her and sometimes she would not. As she got worse and worse I would
often just sit with her and hold her hand. Words were no longer needed. Her body
may have given out and her memory may have left her, but in those moments I felt
connected to her soul. I knew that her spirit would soon pass from this world,
but I also knew that the love we had shared would live on in my heart always.
Even now years after her death I still feel that
connection. I still feel that love. It reminds me everyday that we are all one
family in this world. We are all Children of God. We are all here to love each
other, to help each other, and to grow in oneness with each other. We are here
to build bridges to each other’s hearts and to find connections to each other’s
souls. Don’t be afraid to love others then. Don’t be afraid to share your life
with them. Yes, you may suffer pain and even loss. But as my Grandma taught me
so well, the love you share will live on forever.
Joseph J. Mazzella joecool@wirefire.com
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