Where did the weekend go?!

Gees, it is 6:15 on Sunday evening. Unfortunately, the weekend is almost over. Even worse, Ray and I still have a lot of studying left to do. We've done a good bit of studying this weekend, but we never got to do it for long periods. We'd do 30 minutes here and an hour there. Since life keeps on keepin' on, we can't do nothing but study! Some of ya'll who have human children might think this is funny but WE HAVE 3 DOGS AND A CAT! They keep us busy! They want attention, make us run for the camera when they are doing something cute, make us interrupt each other from studying to see something funny they are doing, etc! Also, there are phone calls and emails that come in. When the phone rings, we might say "Dammit", but we really don't mean it. We enjoy those little breaks. Yesterday, I was doing okay studying until my grandfather called. He told me that my Granny's sister, my Aunt Polly, is in the hospital and was not expected to make it through the night. Aunt Polly is my great aunt, my Granny's only living sibling. The last time she and I talked on the phone was about two years ago, just before she went into a nursing home. Since, I have written her letters and sent her little care packages. She cannot write me back, but her daughter and son-in-law tells me she loves hearing from me. Ray and I considered trying to make a short trip to go see her (in Illinois) this year but decided against it. The main reason being my shortage of leave time. Second, we have had a trip to Hong Kong planned for a while. So, anyway, I get the news yesterday that she is very bad off - going in and out of consciousness with very low blood pressure. I found myself feeling all the same feelings Ray felt last week about his grandfather - mostly sadness and regret. I called my grandfather today to see if he has heard any news about her. He said she is doing a little better. She woke up a few times today. Although, she doesn't recognize everyone. He told me she recognized one of her grandsons and not the other. I know that can be very hurtful to the one that she does not recognize. I don't know what the doctor's prediction of her making it is. I think she is 93 years old. I have not talked to her in years, but I plainly remember all the phone conversations we had. We would talk about everything - the news, the weather, her family, my family, pets, old times, and even death. She was always one to be okay with it. She felt like she had lived a good life...and she even told me things like "So many of my loved ones have passed - my parents, my sisters, my brothers, my husband..." For some reason, I think she still feels that way, that so many of her loved ones are in "the good place" and are waiting on her. In a way, I wish she would be released from the hospital and stay with us here on Earth. But on the other hand, I want whatever she wants. If she wants to go to the place that is free of pain and suffering, I back her 155%! Who can blame her?! I can't help but wonder if tonight will be Aunt Polly's last night with us. So, every night, I listen carefully to the dinging of my Granny's clock...every time it chimes, I think of it as my Granny telling me she is watching over Aunt Polly and waiting for her whenever she is ready to join her. :) Well, I've spent more time than I planned on blogging. I've got to get back to studying so I can at least do decent on my first test.





My Granny (left), Sue Barksdale, and my great-aunt (right), Polly Westbrook. :)