The Cornerstones

[Update: My grandpa is doing okay. They have him in the hospital and he had a better afternoon. Some big decisions will be made tomorrow, but for now, he's doing okay. Thanks for the good thoughts and prayers. He is so special to me, as I think most peoples' grandparents are!]

I have thought a lot about grandparents today...I got a phone call this morning that my grandpa was unable to get out of bed because he was feeling dizzy. My parents were on their way to go and help him and my grandma. It was the phone call I had been dreading for quite some time.

My grandparents rock. They always lived just a mile from us growing up and I would ride my bike up to their house and spend hours playing Sorry and Old Maid with my grandma, while my grandpa snuck me M & M's on the side. They read us books, sang with us, and made us special treats. They always had a rubbermaid container of oreos and cans of pop ready to spoil us when we came over.

Almost my entire dad's side of the family lived within a one mile radius of one another growing up. We used to go up and spend the summer hours swimming in Grandpa and Grandma's pool. They had slumber parties for ALL of the grandkids and they would take us "fishing" for prizes, we made crafts, we got to make little mini pizzas and we just had a great time. One time they even were so brave that they took ALL of the grandkids that were old enough-at that time there were 8 of us, I think-to a hotel and stayed with us overnight. We swam, ate good food, played mini golf, and made many great memories.

They have been there for me throughout the years. I know that they pray for all of us every single day. When they made the decision to sell their house and move to Arizona to be snowbirds we all cried tears at the thought that they wouldn't be just a bike ride away. They have been at weddings, graduations, sent birthday and Christmas cards faithfully...they are everything a grandparent should be.

Lately, their age has been showing a bit. My grandma has had some health ailments, including a round of breast cancer, dealing with vertigo, nerve damage in her arms and other things. My grandpa has worked so hard to take care of her, but now it seems he is the one that is failing. He was admitted to the ER this morning and one thing that they have discovered is sad, and it's not going to get better. It's looking like he will be heading into a nursing home, something that I think will not be that great for him and my grandma.

I don't know why, but the last week has been a tough one. They have been on my mind almost non stop and it's almost like I was afraid of getting that "phone call." The last time I saw them was in January when I was home for a visit, and they seemed different. Not quite as feisty, forgetting things, and much more frail than I last remembered.

I know it's inevitable. I'm not afraid for them, because I know that they love God and have served him their entires lives. They are the major reason that our family loves God and that we are as close of a family as we are. They are the cornerstones of our family, they have led all of us for many years. They are a sweet couple...they are the Bible's true depiction of two becoming one and serving God with their WHOLE hearts.

I don't think that it's the end, but I fear it is the beginning of that road. I'm desperate to get on a plane and go home while they are still WHO they are now...before they go downhill any more. When I heard my grandma's sweet voice on the phone today saying she was just so thankful that she had such wonderful kids and grandkids I was desperate to give her a hug. When I told her so her reply was, "Well honey, you just hugged me over the phone." To me, that's not good enough. Everything in me wants to go...NOW, but I can't. I have responsibilities here. I have a job interview next week. We need to think about what is best financially.

My husband rocks...he's on it. He's already looking for plane tickets and figuring out what is best. The soonest I can possibly be there is the beginning of May, and to me that can't come fast enough right now. Here's hoping it works out. Grandpa and Grandma, I'm coming home. I love you!

My Grandpa and Grandma in January, with their two newest great grandchildren, Rusty and his little cousin, A.