Family update

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

I decided hibernation was a good thing this winter, since Pete (aka

Ben) was/is finally having an excellent school year. Sorry I

haven't posted much, but as always, I am in awe of the power of the

members of this list! As the list grows larger, it is wonderful to

see so many members continue to reach out and share all the help that

they have received from others.

For those of you who remember, my dear Mother-in-Law, " Nonni " , lived

with us for three years. We made the painful decision back in 2001

that we could no longer care for her adequately, and she moved to a

nursing home that is just five minutes from our home. This meant we

could easily bring her over for Sunday dinners, all the holidays,

etc., and pop in at any time to visit her. Pete is her ONLY

grandchild, so we were relieved that they have continued to have a

strong bond.

Now, at 92, Nonni is receiving hospice care at the nursing home. She

is for the most part just winding down her life, running out of

steam. (Congestive heart failure, O2 round the clock, etc. etc.) We

have been fortunate in that she is till pretty clear-minded, although

that has changed in the last few weeks. Anyway, over the years

people on this list have asked how she is doing, and that has meant a

lot to me.

Nonni herself is well-prepared. She has been at peace, and is

talking a lot about " going home " , about her childhood, etc. So we

are preparing along with her. I feel that we have been very blessed

to have this time to make thoughtful preparations. I am getting

together materials to make some social stories for Pete in the form

of memory books with photos. We have been given lots of other good

suggestions, too, such as keeping some piece of her clothing with her

scent on it in a ziplock bag. I have some old videos of her and Pete

doing this Albanian nursery rhyme together but will make one more

this weekend.

I feel that we have been really fortunate to have had at least one

grandparent here throughout Pete's life. And Pete has been the lucky

recipient of Nonni's unconditional love.

Will keep you posted. And maybe at some point I'll be more active on

the list again!

God Bless Us, every one!

Beth