Grandma

4 Years, 15 & 16 Weeks.


Victorina M. Isidro, 1931 - 2014

I've been dreading having to write this post for a very long time.

We lost Grandma Isidro last Tuesday afternoon, on July 29.  This is the first time that a member of our immediate family has died, and although we have been preparing ourselves for the inevitable, it was still devastating when it happened.

She was 82 years old, and suffered from extreme dementia as a result from her diabetes.  Her quality of life had deteriorated immensely, especially after suffering a stroke this past February, which forced her to have 24-hour care at the nursing home.  My parents, along with my aunt and her family would commit to visit her every single day and help in feeding and cleaning her up. Her condition continued to worsen; her blood sugar levels were never consistent and they were always trying to find the right dose of insulin to get them back to normal.

She suffered a second stroke on Monday, which prompted her to be admitted at Florida Hospital Heartland.  Mom had been keeping me up to date with any news.  Grandma was surprisingly alert that evening, although her speech was slurred and her left side sluggish.  She would go to sleep and remain unconscious until she died.  Mom had texted me Tuesday morning that Grandma was unresponsive, and that her time was imminent, so I packed up the kids and made my way down to Avon Park.

We arrived at the hospital at 3:15 that afternoon and made our way to her room.  My parents were there, along with Grandpa Isidro and some family friends.  Auntie Net was the charge nurse on her floor, so she was keeping a constant eye on Grandma's vitals and stats.  I kissed her on the forehead and whispered, "Grandma, I'm here.  It's going to be okay."  The family chit chatted a bit, the kids providing Lolo and Lala a welcomed distraction in the hospital room.

At 3:50 Mom noticed Grandma tense up a bit, and her color started to pale.  We surrounded the bed and said our goodbyes, as everyone watched her slip away. It happened very quickly, but it was very peaceful.  We were all overcome with emotion and sadness, and I watched Grandpa, my dad and my aunt succumb to their grief.  It was heart-wrenching to see the pain and sadness, and hear the guttural cries as the family mourned her loss.  My heart broke when I saw Grandpa weep and drape himself over her, destroyed at the reality of losing his wife of 67 years.

It's been quite an emotional roller coaster  for our family so far this year.  I've been lucky enough to have had all 4 grandparents alive and living close to me for most of my life, and this year we bade farewell to the Fernandez's as they moved back home to the Philippines, and now with Grandma Isidro's passing, I went from 4 to 1 in a span of just a few months.  I consider myself fortunate to have had that time with them growing up, and have them see my own children. I have now experienced the full spectrum of the life cycle with the kids' births and her death, and it makes me appreciate the time we have here and the people we are connected with in our lives.

She was a gracious woman who loved her family and loved her Lord.  She was faithful until the end, and that gives me hope and assurance of our reunion together with her on Resurrection Morning.  She exemplified love and compassion to her family, and it is in her family that her legacy remains.

Thank you Grandma, for giving us life.  We love you and will miss you.

And we shall see you again soon.

Here was our week(s):

Friday morning pancakes for breakfast!

Working on an art project.  And creating quite a mess!

Maddy making herself comfortable.

Sabbath lunch at Keke's after church.

Kohlden tearing up his French Toast!

Spent the afternoon exploring Florida inside the Gaylord Palms Hotel.

In the ruins of St. Augustine.

Fishing for marlin in Key West.

Tricked a few people and made them think we were down in the Keys with this picture.

Brae doing round offs on the artificial turf outside.

We decided to have our picnic supper there.

Don't ask.

53 mile ride with Duncan Sunday morning.

Hooked up with the Grodacks for some water play at their place when thunderstorms
prevented us from playing at the pool.

Monday was game night, girls vs. boys.

The girls won...

Tuesday morning pool outing with the Grodack girls.

With Grandpa Isidro at the hospital that afternoon.

With their great-grandfather, before leaving back for Orlando.

Wednesday morning, pancakes from scratch!

More pool and swimming lesson practice.  Maddy floats with her mermaids.

Picked up the Isidros from California at the airport late Wednesday evening.

Early Thursday morning picked up Auntie Mari and her kids at the airport and drove them
down to Avon Park.  They had taken the red eye from Washington state to support the family
and attend Grandma Isidro's wake over the weekend.

Greeting Auntie Gen and Preston as they arrived from Orlando that afternoon.

The 4 cousins together.

Friday morning bumped into our friends the Hazens at Costco.

Friday evening family gathering back in Avon Park.

Attending church in AP, the kids listening to the children's story from the balcony.

Attending Grandma's viewing Sabbath afternoon.

Grandpa, Dad, and Auntie Net with spouses with Grandma.

Saying their final goodbyes after everyone left.

Supper and fellowship with the family afterwards.

Teaching them all some games.

Monday morning hit up Toys R Us for their summer clearance, scoring some gifts at 90% off!

Tuesday morning, twins snuggling with Lala.  They had spent the night after taking Auntie Mari
to the airport the evening before.

Pool time with the family, showing their floating skills to the grandparents.

Photo session with Preston.

Saying goodbye to Auntie Gen before Lolo and Lala took them to the airport. 

Hugs for Uncle Mike.  It was so nice hanging out with them all.

Group hug for the cousins.

Making a quick stop to Home Depot.
I had told Maddy to dress appropriately and this is what she came up with!

Picking up some books during library time.

Showing me his serious face.

The silliness ensues.

Getting serious working on their painting project.

Bowling outing for the final week of summer break!

Kohl watching his bowling ball go down the lane.

Food:

Auntie Mari brought smoked salmon jowl from Washington so I created some cakes with them!

Randoms:

Asked a random person I saw with her Google Glass if I could try them on!

The many faces of Madelyn.  These are a few of the several selfies she took with my phone!

Happened upon this gem of a Camry at the Kohl's parking lot in Lake Wales.  One word:  Wow.

Quote:  

• The kids wanted to have art class, Braelyn wanting me to draw some pictures so that they could color and cut them out:

          Me:  "Why don't I just print out some pictures you guys can color and
                   cut?"

          Brae:  "No.  ART is something that you CREATE, not what you print
                     out!"

Have a great week!