In memory of...

My Patti and I

“Farewell is said by the living, in life, every day. It is said with love and friendship, with the affirmation that the memories are lasting if the flesh is not.”  

Two months have flown by since I lost my grandma. I was distraught for a while; I did not know how to mourn someone when my memories of her were "few and far between". Well, the memories were "few" from the past but fresh memories were singed in my brain and heart when I spent the 20 days of my grandma's last days on earth with her. Those days are the days when I forcefully kept my thoughts trained on how I could serve my grandma in her hour of need. I remember connecting with her in a way that I could not even begin to describe; this was a frail old lady, who called out my name every single time I went up to her bed; who grabbed my hand like a child begging me to take her home. I became acutely aware of the fear of that soul, in its loneliness, to die. I became one with the peace that she felt when she knew it was time for her to go. Looking back, the single biggest lesson that she has taught me was to stay in the present moment and be with whatever shows up. 

I still mourn my grandma. I don't know when the tears would stop.However, there is this lesson that I learned from her and that which I want to pay it forward. So, I made a vow to myself; on the day of my grandma's death every month, I will spend some time with a senior citizen, be absolutely present for them and be with them. I spent a cold winter day yesterday, volunteering with Dorot, spending time with two senior citizens in New York. Speaking with them made me feel lighthearted and more compassionate towards the process of aging & the toll it can take on the human spirit. I also saw how in real life, that the toll of aging on the human spirit is possible only if we allow for that to happen. The mind is such a powerful master. If we don't let it run berserk, then it is such a phenomenal slave -to the heart.I would not have got the benefit of this company, had it not been for the life changing event - death! Ironic but true!

Every cloud does have a silver lining. Thank you, Patti. I still miss you badly and it is because of you and because of us, that I am able to turn this event around and serve other senior citizens. I am not going to forget this precious lesson in a hurry! 

 

 

Source: www.123greetings.com