To Grandma's House I'll Go

I grew up in the country. I mean, down multiple gravel and/or dirt roads to get home 'in the country'. Fortunately, my Granny Arnold lived about a quarter of a mile down the road from us.  My brother and I spent many of our free days with granny and built a very special bond with her over the years.

So, when my mom was on an important phone call one day and too busy to stop and tie my shoe, it was an easy decision for my five year old mind what I would do.  I would make the quarter mile trek to granny's house.  I'd never made the trip on my own, but I knew granny would be more than happy to tie my shoe.

Granny lived in a decent sized mobile home surrounded by 40 acres of farm land that my uncle farmed.  She had a large garden in the front and a chicken house in the back.  A sandy driveway stretched about 100 yards off the main road down to granny's house.

So, I hopped on my little black and yellow bike and started pedaling. I don't remember any details from that trip over to grandma's.  I seem to remember an old truck rolling slowly past at one point, but I think that is a detail my brain has added over the years to make the story more sensational.

When I finally made it up granny's long driveway, I saw granny coming around the corner of the house. She had just been out checking the chicken house when she noticed me.  The look of surprise on her face would only be matched by the look of fear on mine when my mom realized I was gone and figured out that I had made the trip alone.  I knew better and she would remind me that I knew better!

Grandma tied my shoe and we went inside and waited for my mom to show up. This is the end of my recollection of this event.  Legend has it that mom swatted my butt the whole quarter mile trip back home. I sent her a text today to fact check the story and here is one of her responses: "I'll bet your butt still hurts.  My hand does!"

Being a parent myself now, I can imagine the fear that gripped my mom in that moment; the horrific realization that your child is gone and you have no idea where they are.  I'd probably respond the same way she did.  I can tell you this much: I learned my lesson and never made the same mistake again!

Granny passed away during my first year of PT school. She had battled with dementia and was on Coumadin. Family helped to monitor her medication at home. She had recently spent a few nights in the hospital and had her Coumadin dosage altered, if I recall correctly. Somehow her levels got off and she was found unresponsive and passed away shortly thereafter.   

I place no blame for her passing; neither on family or her physician. I was and continue to be disappointed that she didn't receive further services when released from the hospital. There are so many home health companies that would have been more than happy to make the trip to Granny's house. But, God's timing is perfect, whether we understand it or not.  I draw comfort from Isaiah 57:1-2:

The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away,and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.  Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.

At the time, it was painful not being able to be there for her as she had been there for me when I needed help.  I'm frequently reminded of my granny when I go out into the country to see an elderly woman living alone. These patient's hold a special place in my heart and take me back to riding down that sandy lane and seeing the comforting sight of my granny there to make everything alright.