My Grandmother died tonight

[Mr. Blonde]

I'm not sure how to feel. She had Alzheimer's, I'm not sure of the exact cause of death. She had stopped eating recently. I'm so unsure of how to feel about it. On the one hand she has felt gone for so long now. But on the other she is now really gone.

The worst part is that because I was a somewhat late in life child born to late in life children, she was the only one I really ever knew. My last grandparent died when I was 6. And because of the terribleness that is Alzheimer's I didn't really get to know her and hear her stories. If anything that is the worst part, feeling left out from the history of my family.

[Dystopian]

1. Heartfelt condolences...

I'm so sorry for your loss....
Not knowing how to feel is often part of it...Sometimes we just feel numb for a while....
It's especially difficult in your situation...my heart goes out to you...
May your beloved Grandmother rest in peace~

peace & love to you and your family....

[Mr. Blonde]

3. Thanks

It is a sad situation. I think the only thing that does make it bearable is that everyone has felt like they said goodbye when it meant something long ago. I don't want it to sound like my aunts and uncles viewed her as a burden, just that it wasn't there mother who was around. Although she did remain the sweetest person ever, which Alzheimer's can change. I fully understand why my dad lives in more fear of that disease than heart disease which is what usually gets the men in my family.

[Dystopian]

12. I understand....

Alzheimer's is horrible....Thankfully her children were able to say goodbye when they knew that they could.
My daughter works in a nursing home and deals with families daily...I don't know how she does it. I hope your father can find some peace of mind...worrying about the unknown can consume one.....
And may you find comfort knowing she's at rest...

peace~

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. I am so very sorry *hugs*

[Mr. Blonde]

4. thanks n/t

[Catshrink]

5. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Take care of yourself.

:grouphug:

[Swede]

6. Sorry for your loss.

May your grama rest in peace.

[UrbScotty]

7. I'm so sorry

I only had the chance to know three grandparents, and only one is still here - and she's not in the greatest of health. And I only have one brother, two uncles, three aunts, and cousins.

I can hardly imagine how hard it must have been for you and your family. But she is not suffering anymore.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

8. She is released -

that might console you. Alzheimer's is, as you sadly know, a horrible, horrible thing, for the patient especially.

I only knew one grandmother, and she died when I was a teenager, so I turned to my parents and aunts and uncles for the family stories, and they continued to come up with them through the years. At all family functions, there was always something that reminded someone of another story, and our - the cousins - knowledge of where we came from grew and grew.

So, turn to your other relatives, and get as much as you can for yourself. It will ease the pain of your loss and perhaps even make you feel closer than ever to your grandmother.

In the meantime, my sincere condolences. It sounds like you loved her a lot ..............................

[Mr. Blonde]

10. It is something that interests me intensely

And I want to learn about my family as much as possible. I know I can still learn from my aunts and uncles, but it just feels like some is lost by an earlier ancestor being gone.

Thank you for the condolences.

[Truthiness Inspector]

9. I think it's normal to have mixed feelings under those circumstances

But the important part is that she knew you and loved you before Alzheimer's set in. Be thankful for the memories you have, even if they are few.

Find some personal way to honor her memory that you do not tell anyone else about, even if that means showing up to place her favorite flowers on her grave or sit there at her grave and read a story you know she would have liked. You can mourn her in your own way, and I think you must in order to find your own sense of "closure" whatever that really means, but to gain acceptance of her death in a way you think would make her smile and make you smile too.

[Mr. Blonde]

11. Thank you for the condolences and the idea n/t

[applegrove]

13. So sorry.

[Vidar]

14. My concolences. Lost my father, grandmother & one aunt to alzheimer's.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

15. Sorry for your loss. My condolonces to your family

:hug:

[mwooldri]

16. I'm sorry *hugs*...

... Alzheimers is a terrible disease, and awful for everyone.

Just hugs and comfort...

Mark.

[MissMillie]

17. I'm sorry for your loss.

I too have a funeral to attend--tomorrow. My godmother died after a bout w/ bile duct cancer. She suffered quite a bit in recent months, so I am happy that she is no longer in pain.

See if there aren't some family photos your family will give to you. And ask your aunts and uncles for their stories.

I know a bit about feeling unfamiliar about family members. My brother is 13 years older than I, and by the time I was able to really hold any memories of him he had joined the Navy and was out of the house. We know each other as adults, but I have no real recollection of him "being there" when I was growing up.

My heart goes out to you and your family. :hug:

[Call Me Wesley]

18. Safe passage to your grandmother.

May she be free from suffering. Peace and comfort to you and yours, Mr. Blonde.

[bigwillq]

19. I am sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[BuelahWitch]

20. I'm sorry. It's hard to lose a grandma

I still miss mine sometimes and she's been gone more than 30 years. :hug:

[catzies]

21. I send blessings of peace to her soul, and prayers of comfort to yours.

:hug: