Sometimes it is the Destination

I have an exciting vacation coming up.  The hubs and I are taking a road trip with 2 of our 3 kids and our grand daughter.  While on vacation we will be visiting family and attending my 20 year high school reunion.  As excited as I am for the vacation as a whole, there is one thing that I'm doing on this vacation that makes everything else pale in comparison......

I get to see my Grams!!!!!   Some of you may remember me talking about my Grams before, she is one of my most favorite people ever!  The last time I saw my Grams was almost two years ago and she was laying in a hospital bed recovering from a broken neck and serious head trauma.  She had taken a pretty bad spill, and considering her age (85 at the time) the doctors didn't really think she would make it through.  So that visit was spent with my Dad and brother making funeral arrangements and attending to all of Grams affairs.  I still want to cry thinking about it. 

By the time I had to leave to come home, Grams was doing a little bit better, but they still weren't optimistic about a full recovery.  Even if she did make it through the immediate danger, she would probably go into a rest home and never be the same.  I remember the day I said "good-bye" to her in the hospital, I remember thinking that would probably be the last time that I ever saw her, and I remember thinking how happy I was that the kid was with me on his trip.  He had met Grams plenty of times, but this was the first time he was old enough to probably remember really well.  And even though she was in the hospital, all banged up, he would be able to know who she was later on when I talked about her and what an amazing woman she was. 

Now, when I say amazing woman, I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea...Grams is no Saint.  She is one stubborn, crazy, troublemaker.  I probably relate to her more than anyone else I've ever known.  She can be a sweet woman, but she also won't stand for any B.S. and she'll tell you how it is when necessary. 

Well, Grams did recover from her injuries, almost fully.  She has to use a cane to get around, and she says she can't do her daily crossword puzzle anymore.  But I think the same could be said for a majority of 87 year olds.  She has been fortunate enough to continue living on her own.  She lives in a very small town and thankfully there are some really great people who stop in to check on her and make sure she has everything she needs. 

I am so looking forward to seeing Grams and giving her a big hug!  I already felt blessed that she was a part of my life, but I have felt especially blessed the last two years, and am thankful for every extra moment I get with her.