springy, freshness

New growth. New life. Another Spring.

This weekend I spent some time with my grandparents. My grandma has had a battle with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood, for the past 7-8 years. It’s been a rough road for her. The chemo she was on was hard on her body, and she was frequently feeling nauseous- something I can relate to.

I’m having a hard time dealing with the fact that she may not be with us much longer. I have dealt with death of a loved one once before. My uncle, my grandparents oldest son, died almost three years ago. It was an extremely difficult time. Death brings pain; it is a pain I have a hard time dealing with – as most of us do.

My sister and I grew up spending time with my grandparents in their greenhouse. They built their greenhouse when my grandpa retired, and it grew into a very well known flower shop over the years. We would go down to visit in the horrendous winter, dressed in flip flops, shorts, and tanks. We would listen to polka music and eat ice cream bars. I would watch my grandma glide through her flowers, plucking leaves that had browned and petals that had wilted. My grandpa would skip through the aisles watering his thirsty, little, green babies. The two of them looked so young, perfecting their green thumbs and providing the community with happiness in their blooms.

Every time I come across a delicious peony, or a perfectly hanging fuchsia, I think of my grandparents, particularly my grandma.

I’m going to cherish the time I have left with her, and pray that when she does leave us, she’s at peace.