The One with Grandpa Tedder the Gooder and Better


Friday, March 21, 2014

I am very lucky. 
I am almost 29 years old and every member of my immediate AND extended family is still alive. 
I have never been to a funeral. 
I was only 10 when my great-grandma Celestia died but I didn't really know her nor really understood death.
I have known a lot of people who have died, but like I said, no one in my family, and they're who I'm closest too.

But my Grandpa Ted is in bad shape.
He's got dementia, pneumonia, low kidney function, problems swallowing so he's not eating, and a weird syndrome called "sundowners". The dementia is the hardest part for me. He was always such a bright, smart, funny man. But slowly he started to not remember me or the kids and began asking the same questions over and over and over and wanted to go see his mom up in Northern Utah who passed away many years ago.

I've been thinking a lot about him and my Grandma Doris lately.
My mom has been sending daily email updates about his condition. It could be days, weeks, months, or even years. The doctors say "Only the man upstairs knows the answer to 'when'."

I'm so happy I got pictures of Grandpa Ted with Fox and Jane and have made layouts with the photos so they can always look back and see him and know that he loves them.

Anyway, I'm sad.
Trying to stay positive and saying lots of prayers.

12 comments

  1. {hugs}
    I went through the exact thing with my Yaya. Started with the sundowners and the rest came soon after until her passing. I remember indulging her repeated confusion and listening to her same exact stories one right after the other. I just had to keep thankful for the time I had with her, and still getting to be in her presence and I remember touching her hand and giving her a kiss hello and a kiss goodbye and letting those be the things that I remembered to most in her last years. It's tough.
    Sending good thoughts and warm wishes.

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  2. So sorry he is struggling .... dementia is a hard one to go through -- I will keep him in my prayers....

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  3. Very beautiful... I loved these projects!

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  4. It really is sad. Ted is such a great person, it's hard to see him in bad shape.

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  5. I'm sorry to hear about your grandpa Paige. I'm also very fortunate and have my little family, i can't even imagine. Sending you lots of prayers and good vibes. I'm thinking your grandpa is really proud of you and must love looking at your beautiful pages.

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  6. so sorry to hear this! it's hard when you have to watch your loved ones struggle through the end of their lives but knowing there is so much joy and no more pain on the other side helps keep it in perspective!

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  7. Nice tribute to Grandpa Head, Paige. Grandma Doris said she really liked it too. He's doing pretty well today and he's being moved to a nursing home this afternoon.

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  8. Love this. I was just saying to my mom today "I miss the old Grandpa Ted." He's amazing! Praying for his comfort.

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  9. Love your layouts to have these photos documented, Paige!! It's definitely very hard seeing the ones you love age, and have to deal with these problems!!

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  10. So sorry to hear about your beloved Grandpa suffering from dementia! Sending HUGS and PRAYERS!

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  11. sending you a squeeze--getting older is tough, and dementia is a hard one, my papa had it...SO grateful that you got pictures of him with your kiddos--WONDERFUL layouts Paige!

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  12. So sorry to hear this Paige. My grandmother had Alzheimer's and it is so heartbreakingly difficult to watch a loved one slowly lose their memories in addition to their health.

    I will keep him and your family in my prayers!

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