Wilma’s “Independence Day”

Good Morning,

This morning brings news that my long time adopted Grandmother Wilma Keeney passed from this, to a world without tears and into the hands of God at about 1:00AM this morning. 

When I refer to adopted, it was “her” family that “adopted” me some 40+ years ago, but it has only been the last ten years that I have been able to spend some time with Wilma and most of this when she moved in with her grand daughter Colleen.  It is odd how things work out, but I saw more of her after we moved to Arizona, albeit limited to the quick visits up to Oregon.

Wilma wanted to spend the last days of her nine plus decades of life, at home in the company of family and not in a “rest home”.  Through what must have been a seemingly unending effort of family, her wish was granted.  She had her own “suite” in the house and continual activity of family and friends. 

There were lessons learned about life, wisdom shared and memories created.  Many good and others… well just the hard facts and realities of what come at the end of life.  There is a process, the stages defined and the outcome known. 

Some of us never see it coming.  We do not have the opportunity to prepare.  While there may be some that would say, “I don’t want to know when my last days have arrived”, it is without a doubt a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to set things in order.  A chance to dispel the “if only”.  Wilma had that unique and wonderful opportunity and used it.  There was time enough to say goodbye to everyone.  Time enough to say what she felt needed to be said.  She was blessed with a clear mind during these days, even though her body was infirm.  She was packed and ready to leave this world and told me so when I had my opportunity to say goodbye to her in April of this year.

As I held her hand, I thanked her for accepting me into the family, she told me that she loved me and I her.  That was one of the most beautiful things I could have heard.  That was her final gift to me.  With a final hug, a smile, some tears and a look back as I left her room, I knew it would be the last time I would see her.  Such is life and such are goodbyes.

Opportunities come and go, but never stick around very long.  Grab them when you can and tell the ones you love how you feel. 

Love, Dad

Photo: Wilma’s hand in mine taken: 4-20-10  (I used this photo on an earlier post, but felt it appropriate again today.)