A Wonderful, Wonderful Day

[Robert Taylor]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 1:33am

My grandmother is blind.

She's been blind for some time now thanks to inoperable cataracts, and my mother and I recently had to put her into an assisted living facility so that she could go into therapy to become used to life without sight. She took to the therapies and excercises like a trooper, and though it was hard to watch one of the women who raised me fall and slip and not find her way from time to time, it filled me with unending pride to see such a strong woman, 93 years young, remain as positive, as insightful and as beautiful as possible under the circumstances. In addition to all that, she is still sharp as a tack.

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I decided it would be a good idea to give her a dry run out of the facility at my house, to make sure she could adjust okay to an environment she would not be familiar with. So into my car we went, and into my house she walked (yes, with a little help from me, but she still did great). I was nervous as hell that something might go wrong, yes, but once Grams sets her mind to something, she does it come hell or high water.

We sat down and experienced "Hairspray" together for the first time. Grams loved it, and by the time "Timeless To Me" hit the screen, she got up and danced with me to the tune.

After the movie we sat, just sat, and talked for over an hour about life. About me applying to graduate schools. About her new friends. About ourselves...something we hadn't done in so long. Our conversation continued over my homemade dinner, made of her favorites, and I had her home before the sun was down.

I do have a strong family life to be sure. Four godkids, a mother who I'm close to and my grandmother--but there is still something oh-so-magical about spending the day with the woman who helped to raise you and remembering why it is you love her and just how much the two of you are alike. It was, in its own way, a perfect day. It's so special, in today's all-moving-all-the-time world to be able to turn off the phone, turn off the annoyances, and just be who you are with someone who knows exactly who that is, and I wish everyone could have a day like I had today. And I wish everyone had someone in their lives like my Grams.

Her eyes may no longer be emerald green, but they have lost none of their sparkle.

[tazber]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 1:49am

how did she see the movie?

[Robert Taylor]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 1:52am

She listened while I explained the action happening onscreen.

It was a musical so she was very excited since it is her favorite genre.

[Radiana]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 3:49am

I appreciate that you shared that story, it was refreshing. To know that you can bring some joyful moments to someone who is going through any kind of a trial, is a good feeling.

I had an aunt in a similar situation as your grandmother although she could still see enough to get around. She could no longer read or see anything on tv, so we sang.

Your grandmother is very lucky to have you in her life and I would imagine you were very lucky to have her in yours as you were growing up.

Again thanks for the thread.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 10:31am

Family and friends are everything.

[Jane2]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 10:37am

Beautiful and heartwarming story~

My friend's mother is 97, blind and was pretty sharp too. For a while, she "watched" movies the same way your gram did. Now it's too difficult for her to get around.

Thank you for the story.