Sadness and laughter

[franceslievens]

On my last day of work before going on maternity leave I got all teary eyed when a colleague gave me a present for our little girl. It reminded me of all the good advice my grandmother tried to give me yesterday evening. She isn't doing well and asked the doctors not to do anything for her anymore. At the age of 95 her life has been enough for her and she doesn't want to become a burden to any of us. I wished she could still see Little Bit, her third great-grandchild. I wished we could still talk like we did last week on Saturday, when she was relatively well, but suffering from an abscess on her tooth. Instead I cried when she told us to take good care of the children and be friendly with each other. She had a hard time expressing how she felt, but got there nonetheless and knew who she was talking to.

Today my head was filled with so much sadness that every time someone wished me well, and asked me to let them know about the baby, I nearly cried again. It is strange though how all these feelings tend to go into the extreme. Though inside I cry the silliest things make me laugh out loud. Even this timing has a strange comic side to it: while I'm waiting for new life, Gran waits for death to come and claim her.

Comments

[frenchani.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

*hugs back*

Thank you.

[syderia]

*hugs*

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[harper47.livejournal.com]

What a poignant post. Aw, I'm so happy for you. Beginning this great adventure of having a daughter. They are so much fun, dressing them like dolls and then they start developing this personality and the elementary years are such treasures and joys.

I won't spoil your fun by telling you what a hellion they become in middle school. La, la, la.

Hee.

Still the fun of your first baby. I wish you so much joy. I loved every minute of my little girls.

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

My sister has two little girls, and the oldest one can be one big pain in the ass, but they're both so sweet and adorable, and fun. I'm really looking forward to our baby.

[lijability.livejournal.com]

Returning your *hugs* to you.


And you just reminded me that I am old enough to be your father... well, almost. My mother is 94, I've got to go give her a hug now.

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

My parents are both 61, but I've got friends my age whose parents are 10 years younger, so it depends a bit on when you decide to have babies. ;-)

Thanks for the hugs. They're much appreciated.

[sister-luck.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

Your grandmother sounds like a very strong person.

[frances-lievens.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

I've always viewed my Gran as a very strong person. Her youngest daughter was only 14 when my grandfather died, so she's been doing everything on her own for half her life. She really is the person we all look up to.