How my Grandmother's Stroke Affected my Life

How would it feel to wake one morning and everything you know change? It could happen! Something so terrible can shake your world and life as you know it - gone! It could be someone you love so very much or it could be the opposite, like winning lotto. No matter what it is, it's a life change.

The first time I experienced a life changing event was when I was about 19-years old. I received that phone call, that phone call that everyone regrets. It was a call from my father. My grandmother had a stroke. Apparently, my grandfather was walking into the kitchen right behind my grandmother, and she fell backwards. My grandfather caught her, but lifted her gently to the ground. She was unconscious. They rushed her to the hospital. She was paralyzed on the right side. I caught the next flight out. When I arrived, it was raining with sadness in the air. My brother picked me up and we went directly to the hospital.

When we arrived, there were so many people there. My aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, and my dad were sitting in the waiting room. How sad everybody was. I hesitated entering the room, but I did. My grandmother laid there, limp with no life in her. Why did this have to happen? Could we be dreaming? Why to my grandmother? She was 83 years old with so much life in her. She loved her family so much! The doctor said she wasn't going to make it. It could be hours, or it could be months. Her skin was so pale, and she was lying so still. I reached and held her hand and told m grandmother how much I love her. Not one movement or sound.

Within the next 24 hours, my grandmother was paralyzed on both sides. No hope in site. What can we do? We couldn't do anything. Except be there for each other. Days went by and my grandmother was still hanging on. After 7-days, I was ready to load the plane to go back home. But right before I loaded, we received the call. My grandmother had passed away. Three days later, we buried my grandmother in a little military graveyard where other family members are buried. The memorial was so touching. The service was held in the same church where my grandparents were married.

I loved my grandmother very much. She brought our family together with her Sunday meals. She would make such wonderful food and expect you there for afternoon dinner. She would spend hours in the kitchen. I have many fond memories of my grandmother. She taught me how to wash clothes the old fashion way. You know, with a washer with no electricity. The moral of this article - live each day as there is no tomorrow. Life can change with just a blink of the eye.