And it came to pass that at the beginning of the eighth month, I had three of my four wisdom teeth taken out. The fourth was not removed because I was still feeling pain after being given all the local anesthetic that they could give me. Yes, I was awake for the whole 2 hour procedure.
And it came to pass, that after one week, I could still not open my mouth more than a few centimeters. But after a couple dentist appointments and a few drugs (namely, two different types of muscle relaxants, naproxen and ibuprofen) and painfully stretching my jaw muscle open with tongue depressors, I can now fully extend open my mouth (3 finger width). To give perspective, I started at 7 tongue depressors and finally fit 21 or 22 in between my teeth.
And it came to pass that on the thirteenth day of the eighth month of the two-thousand and twelve year, my grandma, Barbara Kelly, passed away. I lived with her for almost a year and a half for the sole purpose of taking care of her. Beginning in June, she started showing signs of dementia that seemed to progress VERY quickly. My cousin Nick came to help me since there was no way I could help her on my own. Family came to visit and even within their short visits they could see her rapid decline. At the end of July she was put into Hospice. I could go into detail about how it all happened, but I'd rather not. Some fun memories of those final months/weeks were of her talking about wanting a BIIIIIIG party and she just wanted to eat ice cream. She hugged, played, and slept with two soft teddy bears just like a little kid. She called them her babies. Even though her time was soon, she could tell I wasn't doing well with my teeth and showed concern for me. She was always so positive and loving even though she was not wanting to do what we asked her to do. She'd say, "Because I love you" or "I like... (something or someone)" or "You're my friend" or "No, but I will anyway." She was so childlike.
I am grateful for my last moments with her. It was the day before she died and she was fairly awake and responsive. She said she wanted ice cream, so I spoon fed her ice cream for dinner. I then talked to her for a little bit and asked her what kind of party she wanted. She said she wanted a "BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG party" in a raspy voice and big eyes. I asked if she wanted ice cream there and she said, "You bet."
Serving her this past year and a half has been a wonderful learning experience for me. It was really, REALLY hard in so many ways, but I have no regrets. I could go on for a while saying all that I learned and I know that I will keep learning from the experience as I look back on it for years to come.
And it came to pass that I moved to west Provo. Sometime in June I randomly started thinking about looking for places to live. It seemed ridiculous at the time, but I went ahead and looked online and got an idea of where I'd need to look when I did need to move and how much to expect to pay for a private room, etc. In August, my aunt suggested that I look for a place to live since it was just before school was to start and it might be the best time even though Grandma could live for weeks to months longer. So I immediately looked on KSL and found a place that just seemed too good to be true: big bedroom (with a queen sized bed), one roommate close to my age, 5 minute drive to work, basement apartment. I went to look at it the very next day with my sister. As soon as I got talking to the landlord and the roommate, I knew that was where I wanted to move to. As I talked with them about it, I got several phone calls and my sister answered them for me. As we left the house and went to the car, I asked about the phone calls and she told me that it was my uncle an my mom telling us that Grandma had died that afternoon. WHAT??! Are you serious! I couldn't believe it!! I was shocked, relieved, happy, amazed, and everything all at the same time. I just kept saying "wow" all the way home. It couldn't have worked out any more perfectly.
And so began the chaos of family coming in and packing all my stuff. I felt an urgency to pack so that no one in the family would take "claim" to my things as if it were part of Grandma's estate. I also just wanted to leave. It felt really weird to go upstairs in the morning and not have Grandma there needing me to help her with something. Really weird. I was definitely more relieved than sad to see Grandma go. It's been hard to see her and help her these past few months. I think the hardest part is having a year and a half of memories with Grandma when the grandma I want to always remember is the one that lived back in California and we visited every holiday or more often.
I hope no one thought I was insensitive about her death with how happy/excited I was about finding a place to move to so quickly. It helps that I have a firm testimony of the plan of salvation and know that she lives and I will see her again. She is with her husband, baby daughter that she lost, and her parents again. Now that's a big party and something to be happy about!!
And thus we see that God blesses those who strive to keep His commandments and rely on Him. I am just full of gratitude of how things have fallen into place, making this transition smoother than I ever thought it would be. The Lord has truly been watching over me, preparing me, and preparing the way for me all this time.
Now I have a fresh start and it feels amazing.
