My family recently spent 7 days at Mayo Hospital as we went through the agonizing decision making process of taking my Grandma Ceil off life support.
This was the best and worst 7 days of my life.
It is clear why it was the worst...
I had to say goodbye to the strongest willed lady I will ever meet, watch my fathers heart break, my uncles, aunt & cousins mourn, and my Grandpa slowly say goodbye to his soulmate.
How could that possibly be any of the best days of your life?
Because in those 7 days, I got to have 4 hours in the car with my dad each of the 6 days we made the drive, telling stories, giving advice, and talking about all things life. I got to talk to my family about the Lord, hold their hands and pray. I got to help & give back to my family in their biggest time of need, and I got to know and love my Grandpa more than I ever thought possible. I got to watch my family, who rarely agrees, make decisions together. I got to see 4 tough guys showing love and support to one another. I got to stand by the sides of my family members while we cried, laughed and everything in between.
I got to see a real life fairytale of unconditional love that took your breath away. From the very first day we were there, my grandpa carried around her bag with all the documents he might need, and a little notebook of all important phone numbers she made for him {even coupons she cut for him with the expiration dates written larger for him to see}... and most importantly his Bible. He cried tears of joy when he heard the surgery was a success. He talked about her non-stop, what she would've liked to eat, what she would've said if she saw us feeding him loads of sugar & sweets, how beautiful she was, what a strong woman she was, what a great mother she was, how proud of her he was. He sat at her bedside each and every day singing to her, reading her Bible verses, talking to her, rubbing her feet and holding her hand. Although she couldn't respond, he never stopped. The moment we pulled support, he didn't move his hand from her head the entire 4 hours. He sat there telling her how much he loved her, touching her beautiful hair, giving her permission to go be with the Lord. He didn't move a muscle. While he was holding his sweet wife while she took her last breaths, he made sure everyone who was having a hard time had a hand placed on them for comfort... he was still looking out for everyone else.
I got to meet real life angels that were her nurses... I mean these were not just nurses, they were so much more. They held our hands and prayed with us, they gave hugs that warmed your heart, they were so patient, kind, and loving. They answered the phone and talked you through anything you needed at anytime day or night. One special nurse {super Joe, as my dad liked to call him}, even came in on his day off to be with us as she passed. They were BY CHOICE, doing God's work here on earth.
It makes my heart happy to know that she was in the BEST place possible for the last days of her life, and that I can take my Grandpa to the Mayo chapel in days and years to come and have it be a place we can celebrate her life, rather than a place we would never want to return. And so proud that my family has a bond that has proven it can't be broken.
We cannot thank the staff at Mayo enough for being by our sides and such an amazing support through this last week. You're all angels here on earth.
