Where I've been...

Hi everyone! I would like to introduce you to my wonderful Grandmother aka Halmoni. Halmoni is the Korean word for Grandmother. When my brother and I were adopted, we both spoke Korean but due to the fact that there was no one to speak to, we lost the language except for the 2 words for Grandmother and Grandfather. My Mom's parents loved the fact we said it in Korean and it has stuck this entire time.

If you've noticed I've been absent for a while, it has been because I've been down in Florida with my Mom taking care of business for Halmoni. In a relatively short time she went from independent care living to a nursing home. The day she left her apartment to go to the hospital was the last day she was at home. She hasn't shown any signs of improvement and will continue to need nursing home care from now on.

Mom and I went through all her belongings and and we had an apartment sale on Friday. The time in Florida ran the gambit of emotions, wishing she was the way she used to be, glad that she didn't realize what was happening to all her belongings, terribly sad to see her in this state of mental confusion, but glad to see her looking relatively healthy. She looked so old, small, weak to me though compared to the last time I had seen her.

My last visit with her was a very positive one. She recognized me and called my by name and we "talked" about everything. I don't mind hearing the mental confusion and the randomness of thoughts and times, but it hurts to see her sad and crying. During this visit, she was even laughing and every time she started getting teary, I'd tell her "Halmoni, I don't want to see you cry, I want to see you laugh" and thankfully, it worked and would refocus her. She really seemed to enjoy where ever she was in her thoughts and she seemed to enjoy the individual moments of each of her stories. It was a good visit. It will be nice when we move her closer to us.

Anyway, we are all finished and everything is finally taken care of. We leave tomorrow morning and I will be home by Sunday night - woohoo. It will be so nice to see all my boys - big and small and to get back to my regular routine!

Thanks for letting me share. Take care!