Touching Others Lives

As I sit by my Grandma's bedside as she slowly passes away, I realize the impact that she has had on so many people's lives. She made the decision to touch so many lives with her compassion, strength and heart. I have the same choice every day.

My Grandma was granted no simple life. She became a full-time caretaker for her husband after his spinal cord injury when they were in their early 20s. She was never burdened by this, and her strength was out of love for her family. Her life was spent in and out of hospitals. She held the hands of the passing patients, while she still supported my Grandpa and raised a two year-old. When my Grandpa spent the last years of his life in the hospital, she never managed to miss a year of bringing home-made cherry mash to every employee for Christmas. She brought joy into less than perfect situations.

More recently, my Grandma entered a full-time nursing home about 7 years prematurely, but as she called it "The Institution" was her home. Super-nursing-home-women is her name. If it had to be done she did it. She recorded the minutes of all the Residence Council meetings (of course, I don't think this is necessary at all), she was the designated photographer for every event, and if the staff members weren't doing their jobs she was the one to make sure every resident had a voice (even if they literally didn't). Up until 3 months ago, my Grandma was the most functioning resident for seven years. She chose to make a not so glamorous life into one. Her compassion saturated "The Institution."

Today it all hit me. As a few members of the kitchen staff entered her room after their shift in tears of disbelief, I realized that my grandma touched so many lives that I can not even fathom. These were not the first staff members, residents, or resident's family that came to share our grief. Her quick regression into this state left "The Institution" in shock. The cancer took over her faster than anyone could imagine. As she now is comfortable to pass, I know those of us she touched are not as comfortable with this sudden deterioration. Even if it is all too soon, we will wait with her hand in ours. When she is ready she will leave the world that she has so beautifully touched.

Her compassion drove people towards her throughout her life. My Grandma loved people. Now, I will chose to carry on her contagious compassion towards people.