sad news....................

sadness seems to be in the air.......

my grandfather (my dad's dad & my last remaining grand parent) passed away on thursday evening while dad was here visiting with us.............

grandpa had been hospitalized on the very day dad got here to see us (2 day drive from KCMO to ABQ) and dad's siblings wanted him to come home right then to be there to help take care of things...........

my dad had been the primary care giver for grandpa for the past 9 years for grandpa & really doing everything for grandpa (except for bathing & such personal stuff) for the past 3 (nearly 4) years -- ever since grandpa had his pacemaker put in......................... this was only the 2nd time he'd been away for more than a few hours from providing for grandpa in those nearly 4 years

while it was hard for him to be away.......he had no energy to go back right away & deal with anything...........he had always been there to handle it all

he mentioned that it had been nearly 25 years that he'd been taking care of his parents.......back when when grandma was first diagnosed with cancer.........

he left his own place to go back home to live with grandpa & grandma to help take care of things ..................and he never got to leave for his own place again.........

until now......... when he gets to go home to what is now all his own place & his own space

so as a note for any of you caring for others................
remember to take time for your self ...............
take time to Care for yourself......
it is Not a selfish thing to do ...it is a neccessary thing to do............

time off
time away
this recharges us
renews us
lets us be the best we can for the people that need us