What an emotional rollercoster it has been for the last 48 hours. On Saturday, I was all smiles at Sharon and Steve’s wedding celebrating with all their loved ones…and then yesterday happened…
I received a call from my mom yesterday afternoon informing me that my grandmother was in the hospital. She hasn’t been feeling well for the last little while…she was having blood transfusions pretty frequently…was always tired…and just not her usual happy self. I was hoping it was just something minor. I thought about visiting her later last night after putting the kids to bed, but Jeanette suggested that I go visit her immediately. I’m very grateful that I did.
I arrived at the hospital to see my aunt sitting in the chair beside my grandma. She had been at the hospital all Saturday and Sunday taking shifts with my uncle. I hadn’t seen my grandmother for over a month. When I saw her laying there with the oxygen mask over her face, I nearly broke down. I barely recognized her. She looked the most fragile I’ve seen her. I asked the nurse what was wrong. She had pneumonia.
I stayed by her bedside holding her hand the entire stay. I know she knew I was there because I would squeeze and stroke her hand and she was squeezing back. I held on for about 45 mins before heading home to help Jeanette with the kids with dinner and bedtime. I gave her a kiss on the forehead as I left and wished her a fast recovery.
Earlier this year, when my family in Hong Kong found out her health was deteriorating, they all booked their flights for a surprise visit to see her this coming October. I’m sad that they didn’t get a chance to see her before she passed away this morning. I got messages last night on Facebook from my cousins in HK telling me to let our grandmother know that they love her…and to hang on and that they were coming in a few months to visit. I passed the message on to her. I’m am sure she could hear me…even in my crappy Cantonese.
Later that evening, I received another call from my mom that she was heading to the hospital. She was planning to go today, but apparently it could not wait. I was not ready for this one. After we put the kids to bed, Jeanette and I headed over to meet my family and cousins. They were all dressed in yellow protective garments, masks and gloves. Quite the contrast from my earlier visit, where just a mask was required. Her eyes were closed…sleeping, apparently. She hadn’t eaten or slept all day. She looked peaceful but it was obviously she was having trouble breathing and suffering. We didn’t stay long as it was very late. I gave her a kiss on the forehead and said my See You Later…
This morning, my grandmother suffered no more. She is in a better place now.
This photo below is of me and my grandmother on my wedding day. It was taken by my great friend, and mentor, Eduardo Martins. This is the only photo, I believe, that I have with just her and I. I will cherish this photograph forever.
I’m very blessed to be able to spend some alone time with her before she went on. Unlike my other grandmother who passed away a while ago, she was able to see me get married and also see her great-grandchildren in Ethan and Brandon. There was so much I wanted to say to her, but sometimes actions speak louder than words. She knew we all loved her very much…even if we didn’t see her as much as we wanted to. She was an amazing woman, awesome wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to the family. She lived a full life and will be dearly missed.
Anyways, I will be away from the studio for the next few weeks being with my family. I will be back on September 1, 2010.
Thank you to everyone who sent their wishes to my family and I.
-Joee
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