If you have been following me for any time at all, you probably know about our Nana! Nana is my Mom's mother. She is a beautiful Southern lady, that we all love and adore. Nana is 98 years young. She will be 99 on August 1st. She has been blessed with good health her whole life. She hasn't always had an easy life. She lost her love, her husband, my mother's Dad, when my Mom was only a young girl. And her brother was a baby. Johnny, my Mom's brother had Polio, which was another hardship for them. After her husband died, Nana had to go to work. Well, I am getting off track here. My Mom's side of the family have all lived long lives. Nana's parents, my great grandparents, both lived to their late nineties, and I remember them well. Nana's older brother is 101! They lost their younger sister recently at age 96. In the past few months, our much loved Nana has begun to decline, and is needing more care. We had to move her from her assisted living home, to another facility where she will be receiving the care she now needs. As difficult is this is, she was thrilled to be moving to the same place her big brother lives. And only 3 doors down too!!
Here we are as we arrived, and got ready to move Nana into her new place. My nephews Matt and Joe, and my Mom, with Nana in her chair, on the lift of the moving truck that held her things.
And here she is as we found Uncle Joe. He didn't know we were moving her in today.
And as they shared their noon meal together for the first time in the new place.
When Mom and I left today, Nana seemed to be comfortable, and probably a little tired too. But I was worried about my Mom. She said it was like leaving her child for the first time in an unfamiliar place. It was very hard for her. And it would have been much harder had Nana's brother Joe not lived there.
I hope she will sleep well tonight. And I feel sure that she will receive very good care. Nana has been such a huge part of our lives. She is so special to each one of us.
When I got home, I sorted through some of the things I brought back with me. My Mom gave me Nana's sewing tin. I don't have any memory of my Nana being one to sew, but I guess all good housewives had to have a little sewing kit for their emergency repairs.
Inside the tin, I found a little photo of Nana and her husband Jim, my Mom's Dad. And that little hand stitched pink heart shaped pincushion was the sweetest thing. Probably made by one of her grandchildren. Maybe even me? I don't know, but she kept it, all these years. And I shall treasure it.
Be Sweet Nana! We love you so!!!
When I got home, I sorted through some of the things I brought back with me. My Mom gave me Nana's sewing tin. I don't have any memory of my Nana being one to sew, but I guess all good housewives had to have a little sewing kit for their emergency repairs.
XO Kris
26 comments:
Precious, Kris! Thanks so much for sharing. For some reason my computer won't show the photos in your post, but your words told your lovely story very well.
Love with hugs,
Gracie
Such a hard decision and I'm sure you all made the right one. You won't need to worry that she will hurt herself and be alone. Prayers to you and your family. Can't see the pics, if you get that fixed, I would love to see them.
I'll be back to check on the photos but I can picture her from your wonderful description!!
Best,
Bonnie
Loved your pics on Instagram .. Hope your Nana does well in her new place :) She is adorable !
dear Kris always think Nana is adorable and your.Mom is like my mom; lovely ladies too hugss!:)
I bet your Nana will enjoy being with her brother at the home. Wish I could have seen the pictures, they just didn't show up.
I love that you had a nice surprise in the sewing kit. Hugs.
My mother is in a nursing home - has been for the last two years - so I know how hard it is to make that decision. I hope Nana adjusts to her new 'home' and that she enjoys visits with her brother.
xo
Claudia
Kris what a wonderful, loving family your Nana has! I'm sure she will get the good care she now needs and it will be nice for you all to see her and your great uncle when you visit.
As far as the photos not showing up --I've had many problems with Internet Explorer not working with Blogger lately so I switched to the Google Chrome browser. Did you try uploading your photos that way? I think Blogger is also requiring everyone to use Picasa to upload photos.
Thanks for your kind comment on my blog --I know you know how busy I am right now and how "nap times" are my golden hours to get housework done...lol!
I shall return to see the photos!!
Cheers!
Linda :o)
I hope the photos show up... I really want to see them! I am sure Nana will be great in her new home and I am bet she is so excited to hang out with her brother again.
Oh Kris.. I can so relate. Nana has lived a good long life full of love with all of you. Of our 4 parents, 3 lived in assisted living and only my dad insisted on staying in his own home until the end. It's just not easy moving them into those places. My mom lived her last year in the Alzheimers unit. ::sigh:: This is all part of the circle of life. ((hugs)), Teresa
Kris-My iphone is doing the same exact thing and it just started this week. I don't know what the problem is and I had to wait to post pictures on my blog until I got home today and had my desktop. If you figure out the problem could you let me know?
How wonderful your Nana can be with her big brother! I visit a nursing home every week and there are two sisters and a brother there. The sisters share a room and brother is right next door. They eat all their meals together and spend lots of time together. They said they look forward to leaving this world the way they came into it...together. So sweet.
Even without the photos showing up, you made visual pictures for us and they are beautiful and full of love.
Blessings,
Betsy
I, too, will check back for pictures. You are so blessed to still have your Nana and to have the opportunity to make so many memories with her and your Grandchildren. I'm sure it was difficult for your Mom, these things are never easy, are they? You are all in my thoughts.
Deb
Kris, How blessed you are to have your Nana. What a sweet tribute to her; I know you have also brought her lots of joy and laughter. That is what families are all about. Glad you now have her sewing tin-I know you'll treasure it!
Lots of love,
Noreen
You are sooo lucky to have both your Mom and your Nana...
No pictures yet!!
Cheers!
Linda :o)
It is so hard to move your loved one into a nursing facility because they are declining. I moved my Mom into one over a year and a half ago, it is so difficult to see her slowly leaving us. Your Nana sounds like a wonderful woman, she will love being close to her brother.
Hugs to you Kris,
Meredith
You are so blessed to have your Nana, as is the whole family! I think it is wonderful she can get the care she needs and be so near her brother, too!
Aw, sweet post. I love your sweet Nana!
xo
Love hearing stories of long, full lives. I loved the pictures you posted on Instagram they were just so dear!
Thanks for reposting the pictures...I actually like them like that....cute! Hope everyone is doing ok.
Hi Kris,
I so enjoyed reading about your family and your Nana, who looks like the sweetest of ladies! I truly hope she will be comfortable and happy in her new home and close to her brother. It is more than evident how much you all love her and she deserves it!
Poppy
PS: Her and her hubby look like such a beautiful couple in that old photo!:)
I know all this is hard, but how sweet she is with her brother. And to have that sewing tin is very special.
Yeah! I am so glad to see the photos. Love the one of Nana with her brother.
I worked at a nursing home in high school and loved the residents there. To think about their lives and what they lived through, what they did, how it all went was so interesting. It's so nice you have such wonderful strong feelings for your relatives, Kris.
Big Sobs!!
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