An excerpt from 25 Before 25:
When my grandfather surrendered to his thirty year battle with Parkinson’s, it was a very strenuous and tiring time. My family and I spent twelve days rotating shifts at the Hospice unit of Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. Each day the nurses and doctors continued to say, “it will be about two or three more days until he passes.” We were worn down, physically tired, and emotionally drained. Periodic weeping and tears filled his room with our staggered realizations that this was the end of his life on Earth. But as day two turned into day five and then day ten, we couldn’t help but laugh at the situation. Here was a man holding on for dear life without fluids or food, surpassing all expectations. Jokes began to float around like “tomorrow he will be up and running around the room I bet,” or “was Papa just faking this for attention?” We had already exploited all other emotions and feelings, and now we found ourselves making light (laughing) at the situations.
Eventually my papa lost his battle with Parkinson’s. Bishop, my nephew, was born. And my mama Comley (my mom’s mom) died eight months shy of her nindith birthday unexpectedly.
We have been brought to tears with pain, but we have fallen to our knees to give thanks as well. We are the Collins Family. We have a bond that cannot be severed.
It was such a difficult yet beautiful summer for our family. We lost the leader of our family and the angel of our hearts. But we gained an amazing blessing in my nephew and my life was forever changed when Ryan & I began dating late that summer.
Despite the pain, our family grew even closer to overcome the aches in our hearts. We smiled through the tears as we remembered the memories. I will always be grateful for the time I spent with my grandparents. Growing up four houses down from them was one of the greatest gifts that God has given me. And I would give anything for one more phone call; one more honk of the horn calling us to go for ice cream; one more car ride; one more hug. But I know that we will meet again and until then I will celebrate the time we had together.
It was such a difficult yet beautiful summer for our family. We lost the leader of our family and the angel of our hearts. But we gained an amazing blessing in my nephew and my life was forever changed when Ryan & I began dating late that summer.
Despite the pain, our family grew even closer to overcome the aches in our hearts. We smiled through the tears as we remembered the memories. I will always be grateful for the time I spent with my grandparents. Growing up four houses down from them was one of the greatest gifts that God has given me. And I would give anything for one more phone call; one more honk of the horn calling us to go for ice cream; one more car ride; one more hug. But I know that we will meet again and until then I will celebrate the time we had together.
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