Grandma, etc.

It was recently decided that my grandma is no longer able to live alone. The Alzheimer's is advancing and she's not been taking care of herself. It's getting to where she could hurt herself, so living alone isn't an option anymore.

This is incredibly painful for all those involved. She's been in that house for, what, 40 years now? And telling her she has to move - no matter where - is hard. Thankfully, she'll be moving in with family (my parents), so it's better than telling her she's going to live in a small room in a building full of strangers, but it's still not easy.

I'll stay with her for awhile, beginning July 25th-ish, while the rest of the family makes arrangements to get her to Oklahoma. Sometime at the end of August, the Big Transition will take place.

Some moments, I'm excited about staying with her, taking her to movies, having good conversations, etc. Other moments, there's a rock in my chest, knowing what's coming and how hard it's going to be on her (and everyone else). It's one of those situations where you have to force someone into what's right for them, despite their protests. I predict kicking and screaming. Sigh. I know it's the best thing, and I wish she could see that, too. But from her angle, everything she loves is being taken away and she's being forced into something she does not want. She can't see that she's not taking care of herself, or that it could potentially be dangerous for her to live alone. I am not convinced I'm going to get that into her head while I'm there. So this could be very, very difficult. If she were to accept it, it would simmer down to just very difficult. Oh and there's that rock in my chest.

I have a wonderful family, immediate and extended. She could not be in better hands. I hope my children love me enough to do the hard thing when I'm older.