A weekend of lots of mixed emotions

My Grandfather passed away last night. He had been in hospital for just over a week and a half, so my Mom and I had decided we should go see him yesterday. We set out early in the morning, and reached the hospital just passed 10. We spent a couple of hours in his room, talking, and seeing he was tired my Mom and I went for a walk to get something to eat and some fresh air. I had told May-Britt (Abyquilt) that I might stop by her LQS while we where there, and so we did. We spent a great hour at “Lille Stasjon” – where I busted my Fabric Diet by buying a lot of fabric pieces and some other goodies:



…My Mom also bought me my birthday present – a new cutting mat (and my birthday isn’t until October *LOL*). It was really nice to meet May-Britt, and to have a face and voice to the messages that goes out in Blogland :o) And I also got to see the location where she gives her classes, and to meet some of her guild companions, and see the beautiful work they have on display at the shop. And I really hope May-Britt have made some progress on the projects she showed me at the shop – they are wonderful, and deserves to be finished.

We went back to the hospital from our small shopping excursion, and stayed there until the afternoon. My Grandfather seemed tired but content when we left, in no pain, lying on top of his duvet dozing. Driving home we were happy with the day, what had been said and done. We had a nice time when stopped for a hot meal and coffee on the way; and I managed to finish my small Easter table topper in the car:


My Mom dropped me of just outside my apartment, and drove on home. About an hour after I had walked in the door she called me and told me he had passed away while eating his supper. Needless to say I got on the first buss, and I have spent most of what was left of the weekend at my parent's house.

This weekend has been a rollercoaster of emotions: I’m really sad to have lost a close and cherished relative, I’m sorry to see my Mom in so much pain and sadness, and I’m really sorry I’ll never see him again! I’m really happy we went to visit yesterday and that we took the time to spend the day with him! I’m also pleased I got the chance to meet a fellow quilter and blogger, and that I have brought some goodies with me back to remember a lovely quilt shop and some wonderful people. And on a small scale I’m also happy that I stuck to my resolution of finishing the table topper in the car – the little things are good things to hold on to when times get tough.

We are soon entering the “silent holyday” – a time to think about life and death, and a time to count our blessings. I’m happy that he had a long and good life; that he was able to spend time doing what he loved the most; and I’m happy for the time we got to spend together!

I’m sorry if this post is a bit “mixed and matched” – there are still a lot of emotions to deal with…