Update and Thanks

Hi everyone,

I thought I would blog an update on things that have been going on this past several days. I also wanted to use this forum to thank all of you who have sent me emails and left voice messages of condolence and love. It means a lot to me and I hope you don't mind my making one big public thanks instead of several individual replies :-)

My maternal grandmother passed away suddenly on Friday evening. I had just arrived in Santa Barbara when my mom called me with the news, so after dinner, Allan and I got into our cars and headed back down. Todd was actually the one who discovered her, lying in the bathtub. I think her heart began failing, and when this caused faintness, she sat at the edge of the tub, falling in as she lost consciousness. Todd ran to my mom and asked why his great-grandma was "sleeping in the bathtub". Paramedics rushed to the scene, as did police (to rule out foul play), to no avail. By the time Allan and I arrived, the coroners had finished the paperwork and were about to transport my grandma to the mortuary. I had the opportunity to see her for a few moments before they did. She looked like she was merely asleep on her bed, so it was a bit strange to feel her skin so cool to the touch when I smoothed her hair and forehead.

Grandma was almost 91 years old, and until the last month, was even healthier and more active than my parents. She didn't even look 90, she barely looked 60. She always helped around the house with chores, even swept up leaves in the backyard, and of course, in the last few years, Todd kept her highly entertained and full of laughter. She was 100% mobile, independent and coherent until her very last moments. Though she suffered a stroke a few years ago, it only slowed her down, but didn't hamper her. Her last day was filled with the usual mundane activities-- doing the dishes, folding the laundry, and being pestered by Todd, which always raised her spirits. The evening ended like any other-- dinner followed by a shower. It seemed like only a split second, and she was gone.

And for that we're extremely thankful. I cannot imagine how painful it must be for someone to languish in bed and in pain for weeks, months, even years, before they finally succumb. My grandma's death was sudden, painless, and quiet, and I feel it's quite a blessing that she didn't suffer at all, and that she was able to live in comfort until she did pass on. If there's a more ideal way to go when the time comes, I can't imagine one.

Tomorrow is our appointment with the funeral home to purchase the plot and make all the funeral arrangements. Family will be flying in from overseas at the end of the week. Since today provided a bit of a lull in the nonstop activities and arrangements we've been making, I decided to drop by work so I could officially put in for my time off, tie up some loose ends with work, and of course, catch up on online activites and keep you all updated on what's been going on. After today, I'll be taking a whole week off to help tend to everything.

Thank you again, everyone, for all your well wishes and prayers!

Love,
Helly

(originally posted at: http://www.myspace.com/hellykwee/blog/308958722)