Today was a big day! I have been very impatient about it not getting here fast enough. A few weeks ago, after talking to my Aunt Wendi about Grandma's cancer situation, I knew I needed to get home to see her. So I bought a plane ticket for during Spring Break.
I got my rear end out of bed at 3AM. That was killer, but I knew the end result was me getting to go home to Minnesota! This was going to be a surprise for Grandma. She had no idea that I was coming. That was even more fun. I named the Trip Operation Loon. Loon is the state bird of Minnesota, so I thought that was fitting.
We are so thankful for our friend, Deb Gates, and her daughter Gentry, for always being willing to help with Caleb and Emma. They came over and about 4AM to stay with the kids so Rick could get me to the airport. My flight left Boise at 5:30. I flew into Minneapolis, had a little over 2 hours there and then on to Fargo. My cousin, Ricky, picked me up and drove me back to Grandma's house.
When we got to the house, Grandpa and Grandma were gone to Grandma's first radiation treatment in Fergus Falls. So I unloaded my stuff in the spare room. I wondered around the house to see if there was anything I could do for Grandma. I found some dishes to put away. Started to look at what I could make for supper. Then I went for a walk around the farm. So much snow, but so sunny and beautiful.
Pictures from my walk:
View of one of the fields
Snow built up around the house
The frozen lake below the house
The barn "Big Red"
The cows don't seem to mind the snow!
The house
Beautiful view
After my walk, I came back in the house and sat looking out the big picture window over looking the lake. Grandpa has hay and feed out for the deer and birds. I was enjoying the view and the visitors in the yard. Two deer came up to eat, along with a couple Canadian Geese, few blue jays and a beautiful, yet funny red Cardinal, who kept trying to come in the window to join me in the house. It was very peaceful watching the animals.
Finally, after my quiet afternoon, I heard to garage door open. Grandpa and Grandma were home. I was so excited to see Grandma's face. Grandpa knew I was here, so he (I later found out) was talking about truck marks in the snow and someone must have been here. I waited until they came in down stairs. I heard Grandpa tell Grandma to go real slow up the stairs. I started down the stairs to help her. She got to the platform between the 2 sets of stairs and I met her there. She looked at me and said, "Oh there you are Wendi!" Then she stopped and looked at me, "OH! Katie! What are you doing here!?" She grabbed me hugged me and started to cry. I looked at Grandpa and he was smiling pretty big. I am sure he was glad that Grandma had such a fun surprise at a time like this. I helped her up the rest of the stairs and we sat down in the kitchen. We held hands and chatted for a little while. She told me how much she loved me. I told her, "I love you too. That is why I am here. I am here to help with anything!" Sadly, I did not get it on camera like I wanted too, but it is a great memory!
Later, I made some hamburgers and fries for supper. At one point, as I was cooking, Grandpa came over and asked how I made the hamburgers. He is trying to learn all the stuff that Grandma does, so he can help her. Grandma ate really good for how much she eats now. I did dishes for them and then we sat and visited the rest of the evening.
It was so amazing to watch Grandpa take care of Grandma. You have to understand that my Grandfather, who I think is one of the wisest men that I have ever met, is just an old farmer. He is not lovey, dovey. To others he can seem kind of hard. His life has always been his farm, the animals, the fields, etc. Caring for home and family was always Grandma's job. Grandpa has stepped up big time with making sure Grandma has her pills at the right time and is very anal about her not getting sick and not being in pain.
I am so thankful that I could come home to help my Grandma!
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