Tough Old Bird

Just recently my mother told me Grandma has refused more treatments. My Grandma H has cancer. She's had many medical problems over the years, but the one taking the toll and her ultimate soul crusher is cancer. She has been through so much, I cannot even begin to understand the burden she is bearing.

(She wants to die in peace at home. Unfortunately, doctors and the government don't let that happen. She's residing in the Nursing Home. How terrible to not be able to die in ones own home...at peace with all you know, surrounding by the calming comfort of familiar.)

Knowing my Grandma and how tough the old bird can be, she's a fighter. She has fought for many things and stood through great adversity and hardships. Yet, I cannot describe what it is like to watch someone with so much determination fight a battle that very few her age have won.

And I pray that she will keep fighting the fight. On the other hand, I am secretly praying for God to release her strong soaring spirit from its bonded cage so that it can fly again. I have no hard feelings to God over the matter because He has kept the old bird up and kicking for 10 long years...years medical experts said would never happen.

She has had a chance to see her youngest grandchild (me) graduate high school with honors. Graduate college in a record 2 years with honors. Marry a wonderful man who loves her as much as I do. She has lived to see my brother get married (No one ever thought that would actually happen, it was purely a speculative thought...a passing hope.) She has lived to see numerous great-grandchildren come into this world.

Most importantly though, she has lived a life that she loves. She will always be known as the tough old bird in our clan.