This morning I said goodbye I my grandmother, my dad's mom, or as I call her, my Nana.
Nana has been showing signs of aging over the past years and has been quickly headed towards the place that we all will end up in someday. We don't know if it will be days or if it will be weeks, but we all know (her included) that her days are probably numbered by no more than the 40 fingers of her four children.
So this weekend, we flew down to Houston Texas on Friday to spend a final day with Nana on Saturday. My father, mother, and sister all came to exchange some words and kisses with a woman who has almost single handedly made me the optimistic person that I often think I am. (My dad is a direct part of that as well, but he is, in turn a product of Nana too.)
The visit was short, but something I will never, ever forget. We got in late on Friday and enjoyed a nice family dinner out. We were up Saturday, and after a run and breakfast, we were off to Nanas house to pick up her will. I read her final wishes on the way to see her at the home she was at, and was taken back (yet not surprised) at the words I read. I wish I could share, but won't.
On Saturday, we were with her from about 10ish to 5ish. In that time, we were able to exchange memories and a few laughs. Her mind is not with it at all times, so having her "with us" for most of our time was a treat. I was able to show her a few pictures of things like my Son and wife (who did not come), and of places like the Hawaii that she loves.
Nana needed sleep, so we took every opportunity to be with her, wether she was awake or not. We left a bit after five, and had a great meal with my aunt and uncle at a great Mexican restaurant. I went to bed after a disappointing colts/patriots playoff game and another beer at the hotel. Then this morning, I was up before six to see her for a final half an hour of so before our flight home.
Nana has always been a person to see the bright side of things. Although she must have had times where she probably wanted to say "screw it", she always said and acted on the positive in the moment. No exaggeration - this was the way she lived. This is the one thing that I hope goes straight to Aiden. Dear son of mine - please take every opportunity to be grateful and happy in life. And if you are able to do that, you have Nana to thank.
Another thing that Nana did was that, upon parting ways when we were little - such as after trips with her to Disney World, Hawaii, or on a cruise, she would never, ever use the word goodbye. I think that I was about seven or eight when I remember crying because she was leaving us to go back to Houston (she was that good of a nana indeed), and telling me that we were not going to say goodbye anymore. We were just going to use the words "see you later" instead.
So before I left her side this morning, the last time I will probably ever see her alive, she told me two things. The first was to try my hardest and do my best - Trust me when I say I will be using this as motivation. I then gave her a second or third kiss on the cheek, and she said the last words I will ever hear from her...
"See you later."
Nana, I love you and will miss you. I will indeed look forward to seeing you again someday. Safe travels to wherever you may be headed soon. You are loved so much.
