The End of a Generation

My grandmother, Meme (Mary Kate Haney), passed away early Tuesday morning, June 16, 2009. Meme had been sick off and on for several years now and she never really recovered from the pneumonia she had in February. She also had ulcers and was being given medicine to try to control those. Apparently this medicine stripped not only the bad bacteria causing the flare ups of the ulcers, but also the good bacteria in her stomach. This caused a disease called C.diff infection. I had never heard of it, but it is apparently common in hospital patients. My grandmother had been in the nursing home for a little over 3 years. I am sad to lose my grandmother, but in a way, I am not sad. She struggled with why she was still living after watching her parents, her siblings, her husband's siblings, her only child, her husband, and finally her closest aunt who was in the nursing home with her up until a few months ago, pass away. I know that even though she had a steady stream of visitors, she was often sad and lonely. She had arthritis in her hands and the pain was terrible. She was going blind from an eye condition called macular degeneration. She also suffered from dementia, which can be very disorienting. I would always tell her that God knew His plans and she was on this earth for a little longer for a reason that only He knew. While I know she knew that, I am sure it didn't make it any easier.

Many of you have called, sent me emails and messages on facebook, and sent cards. Many of you have prayed for us during this time. Some of you even made the long drive out to Dallas to visit with us at the funeral home. It was all appreciated more than you will ever know.