My sweet, precious grandmother...

I have nothing but wonderful thoughts of my grandmother. She and my grandfather had a small farm with a large garden. They always had fresh vegetables on the table. I always enjoyed going to visit. Over the years, she would teach me to sew, cross-stitch, crochet and how to can vegetables and cook. She was very crafty and there was always a project going on at her house. But the one thing that she always found a way to instill into everthing that we did was her faith in God. She has lived her life for God.

When she and my grandfather first were married, there was no church of her faith in our small town. She and my grandfather started one in their home. Eventually, they bought a piece of property in town and built a church. Until recently, even though any other day she couldn't tell you what day it is due to Dementia, she always knows when it is Sunday and is up and dressed before everyone else. She has lived a good life and I know they are waiting for her in heaven!

Dementia is a terrible thing, not just for the patient, but also for the caregiver. It consumes your life. My Maw-Maw, as everyone calls her, has had it for several years. This past Christmas, I gave her a fake puppy that breathes. My mom took all of the gifts we gave her and told her that Santa Clause brought them to her, since she doesn't remember any of our names and would be very confused.. She was so excited, like a small child, about her presents. She has to sit all day, so I thought I would give her something to do with her hands and it would soothe her. She fell and had to go to the hospital earlier this week. She called my mom to her hospital bed and said "Now you make sure my puppy is fed and kept warm while I am away. " I really got a kick out of that. You need to laugh so you don't cry.

My grandmother is now 91 years old. I could write a book on her life, and it all would be good. To this day, even with Dementia, she is always kind and considerate of others feelings. I have never met a better person. I love you, Maw-Maw!