Grandma and I are home alone this evening. So far, we have watched Lawrence Welk, Life Today and I'm hoping to close out the evening with The Gospel Hour. Grandma could not be happier.
Was it really only 3 days ago I was in Arizona?
DH and I returned Saturday, from our sunny Arizona respite, to unseasonably chilly, Iowa weather. One of the sons and his wife had driven up the evening before, for the weekend. While we were exiting the airport parking lot, I got a text message from him.
"She's hungry. What do you have planned for lunch."
"DH," I said, "Vacation is over."
I wasn't sure I was ready... but I had no choice.
We were met with hugs and smiles when we came into the house. I felt genuinely missed and think Ruby was as happy to see us as Grandma (and probably ready for a respite from respite care). We had lunch and caught up on mail, messages and the local news.
A while later, as we sat in the living room, Grandma told me there was a new red truck in the neighborhood.
G: Do you know who that red truck belongs to?
Me: Nope, I never saw it before...
G: It sure is a nice truck. I wonder if it belongs to the lady with the red car....
The "Watch" resumes.
A short while later, she asked me:
G: Where are you folks living now?
Me: What?
G: Where are you two living?
Me: We live here Mom... we were just on vacation in Arizona.
G: I know that, but where are you going to be living now?
I feel my tan fading...
The next day we had CeCe's "boy" friend over after church. After lunch, they decided to go to the movie matinee ... as they went out the door, Grandma asked the grandson, "Is CeCe married?" There are shocked looks and stifled laughter from the daughter-in-law.
Son: CeCe? Married?
G: Yes. Is she?
Son: Grandma - she's 15.
G: That's right.
I say a silent prayer of thanksgiving that I'm in the kitchen and only listening from a distance.
I wonder who's staying in Room 108 of our hotel in Mesa?
Last night she was a little distressed that with Ruby gone, she'd be "alone" in the basement.
G: Where are the other tenants?
DH: There are no other tenants.... just you, and you're not a tenant, you live here.
G: Well there were other tenants...
Me: Ruby was here for several days, but we're back now... and she went home.
G: I'm all by myself? I don't think I like that.
I miss the pool ...
The Gospel Hour is almost over. Grandma has told me she knows a lot of these people. "On TV?" I ask.
G: Yes, I know a lot of them. That guy... I know him. I can't think of his name.
Me: Bill Gaither? You know him?
G: Yes I do.
Me: Where do you know them from?
G: Oh, different places. And him... I know him! (Jake Hess)
Me: Really...
G: And that heavy lady... I've known her for a long time (Vestal Goodman)
To my knowledge, Grandma has never met any of them (although she did meet Jim Nabors once.)
By the time George Beverly Shea came on the screen singing "How Great Thou Art" from a Billy Graham crusade - Grandma was singing along. The camera shot changes to a 92 year old Shea singing the next verse of the song a key or two lower.
G: Now who's that?
Me: George Beverly Shea ... it's the same guy.
G: Man, he's old now.
I wonder to myself - Do I tell her he's actually 101 now or ask if she's seen Jim Nabors lately?
Oh well - it's good to be home.
So ends Episode 26.
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