The Impact of Donating Your Time to Loved Ones

This past week I spent time with the best Grandma any girl could EVER have. To those of you who will never have the opportunity to meet her, let me give you a description: She’s always been VERY giving. Every year she has taken my family and mom’s brother’s family on an extravagant vacation for a week. We’ve always had the best time and I’ve looked forward to them every year. She’s the type who you can clearly see Jesus shining through her in every situation. She has the sweetest touch to everything she does and the most upbeat personality that you can’t help but be happy yourself. The best caretaker, a lovely mother, and everybody’s favorite Grandmother. Otherwise known as Peggy, Grammie or Graham Cracker.

I made the decision to visit her when I saw her about two months ago. I clearly remember watching her almost break down while sitting in a coffee shop with my Mom, brother, and I. Just awhile ago, Grammie’s mom had passed (GG, my great grandmother, lived to be 104), and her husband passed five years ago. She’s been a caretaker for a long time and I could see it in her face that she suddenly felt alone. That’s when I knew I had to do something.

I only spent five days with her which is nothing, but I could tell it meant the world to her.

The Places We Went & The Things We Did:

• Monday – GAMES. We LOVE playing bored games and card games. Ever since I was oh, probably 10, we’ve played games once a week when she would come down to see us. I can’t tell you how many hours we spent playing well into the night every day of the past week. I kept her up hours past her bed time!
• Tuesday – My cousin came over and spent some time with us. We accompanied Grammie to her dance classes that she takes twice a week. She’s a fantastic dancer by the way! Afterwards she took both of us out to Olive Garden. YUM!

Grammie at her dancing class.

We had loads of fun with Snapchat.

• Wednesday – We visited an antique mall! I love antique and vintage “clutter.” I call it clutter because when Grammie and I were walking around we kept saying, “Look at all the stuff. More stuff! Where do they put all the stuff?!” After getting our fill of reminiscing over all the old stuff, we had a lunch date at Sweet Tomatoes.
• Thursday – She took me to see “The Jungle Book” in 3D. If you haven’t seen it yet, please do! Very much so recommended from the both of us. Between the suspense and intense action scenes and the very real and lifelike animals, we were taken away. After the amazing movie we went to Ruby Tuesdy’s (if you can’t already tell, Grammie preferred to spoil me by taking me to my favorite restaurants) where we got our fill of soup, salad, and veggies! Afterwards was more dancing and this time I actually got up and danced with her!
• Friday – The day I left. It was a bittersweet day as I was reunited with my hubby once again, but the somber look on my grandmother’s face was heartbreaking and to be honest, leaving her house knowing we won’t be playing games every night or looking forward to spending all day together made me sad myself. Shame on me for waiting so long to spend quality time with my grandmother.

I’ve never felt sad, nor practically guilty for leaving her house. Maybe it’s because I am 24 and not 13 so rather than me wearing her out, I kept her company. Some much needed company to be exact. And that’s when I realized that maybe just maybe, I needed the couple of days at her house more than she needed me there. It made me realize how important it is to spend time with people who love you. When somebody tells you that they love you, then shows it within their actions, never take that for granted. I’m losing more and more family and friends do to unnecessary quarrels and it’s sad. So very sad.

Not to be morbid, but you never know when your last day will be. So don’t only live it to your fullest, but remember those people surrounding you. Those who love you and appreciate you. FIND time to spend with them. Don’t look back after they’ve passed and wish you did more with them. Cherish every bit of time you donate to your loved ones. I’ll never forget the week I spent with my Grammie, and I’m already planning a time I’ll visit again!

As you can see, Snapchat is a lot of fun.

Isn’t she precious?