My grandmother’s heart is failing. She has been ill for quite some time and the doctor found that the valves in her heart are not closing properly, causing blood to remain in the chambers. She would not survive surgery at her age and with how frail she is so a valve replacement is out of the question.
We don’t know how long she has but Oma is making her peace with her own passing so we all think it will not be long. She has lived a long and full life and I think she knows better than any doctor that her time is approaching.
She is content to go. She has peace with her love of God and knows she will see her husband, Opa Thomas, and all her family and friends who have already passed beyond the Veil to the place where all souls rest and those tied beyond bonds of flesh are reunited.
I am flying out to the Netherlands next week to say goodbye. In a way I guess it is a good thing that I’m unemployed and the fact that the airlines are having such huge problems means the price of the ticket is far, far less than it would have been say a year ago. So I will take this mixed blessing.
I’m so sad. No amount of intellectually understanding that she is in her late 80s and has had poor health for some time can make it any easier. My heart is with my Aunt Joyce, who is finding this so hard as well. I don’t have to imagine how hard it must be for her, not be unable to do anything to help her mother.
To all my family in the Netherlands, I love you and will see you soon. I wish it was under better circumstances but I am so glad I will have this chance.
Please pray for my family, light a candle for Eugenia, a woman of towering strength and courage who we are going to miss so dearly.
Many blessings to you all, my beloved friends and family,
Janice
