The empty chair, the empty suite, no pitter patter of tiny feet, the nanacam is off and the meals don’t need to be on time. We miss her, our children have only known a life with her present. Fortunately, they have grown and one is away at university, while the other is adjusting to the changes in routine by becoming more independent in many ways. Life as we used to life it daily has changed and nothing will ever change it back. This is the part where we get to count our blessing. Our beloved Nana is still living, we can still see her whenever we want and no matter where she is physically, mentally she is just different now.
Her suite in our home is now empty and sadly in dire need of a major overhaul, however, there is a lifetime of her personal treasures for her family to carefully go through and rehouse or lovingly dispose of. It’s always a process, as an in-law, I was conscious of the need for her children to take their time together to remember, to laugh and cry and simply choose for her and themselves what meant most to them. It was made easier by the fact they could still see her any time. She was absent in mind but not in body, how lucky we have been to be able to gradually celebrate her life in milestones big and small. In the end, she will be missed deeply but not regrets will follow us because we missed anything about her life.