As some of y’all noticed, I had a bit of an unexpected break from my blog. My grandpa suddenly took ill (he is doing a bit better now), and hubby & I began the drive the upstate NY on Friday, March 25th and made it to Albany the following day around 3pm.
It was an emotionally draining experience. I was actually born in upstate NY and moved to GA with my family when I was 9 years old. As I got older (halfway through college or so), I stopped going up to NY with my folks to visit. I spent so much time “running away” from where I came from, only to discover, when I got back to Albany, that I belonged there all along. I’m embarrassed and ashamed to say that it has been over a decade since I had been up to visit. But the nice thing about family is that you can pick up where you left off. I finally didn’t feel so lost anymore – mostly due to my Bible reading but also because I was back where I came from. We’re definitely not moving up there, but it was nice to be where I came from and where some of my family still is.
My grandpa is “all there” mentally so he is aware of his declining health. However, despite all that, we did have a good visit. He finally got to meet my husband, Jason, and they got along so well. And of course, I finally got to see my grandpa after all those years, although I wish the circumstances could have been better. I am sad that my grandpa isn’t going to get better, but I’m most grateful for the time I got to spend with him and for the pictures we took together. I was able to pop into Target late one evening, and print them out for him and put them in a little photo album. I plan to do the same for myself in a few days.
Even though it had been so long since I had been back to Albany, there was some familiarity in our surroundings. For example, we ate dinner one night at a diner that I hadn’t been to since I was 5 years old. Although I don’t remember exactly how the diner looked, the few things I remembered were exactly as they were. I nearly burst into tears when I saw the platter of complimentary sugar cookies at the check-out counter — still in their proper place after 28 years. It was good to be home.
Welcome sign!
Big piles of dirty snow! We were told it will take awhile for them to melt. Too bad as the snow piles take up some good parking spots 
Best diner ever. Unchanged after 28 years!
The tray of cookies that made me cry. My mom said I always wanted my cookie first instead of after eating.
Filed under: Life
Eww that snow is pretty nasty looking! So glad for you that you got to see your grandfather again and that he got to meet Jason. I haven’t been to see my grandmother for a long time and it does play on my mind that I should make the effort SOON.
Glad your Grandpa is doing better for now and you had a good visit. Wonderful idea to print those pictures for him, that’s something I need to do more of in this digital age we live in.
One side of my family I don’t get to see too often, but you’re right, when I do it’s always like no time has passed at all, you do pick right up where you left off.
@Steph, Yes that snow is nasty looking, all dirty and dark gray! My mom says it just big piles of plowed snow, and it will be there for awhile, especially since it snowed after we left town! I hope you and Dave can plan a nice visit to your Grandmother. Sooner is definitely better than later. I’m still upset with myself that I let all this time just get away from me
I should have been visiting regularly.
@Lisa, Yes, my grandpa is doing better for now, he’s had some new issues develop since we left, but he’s doing okay. I printed out photos at lunchtime today, now I just need to make some time later this week ot buy a nice little photo album for them.
[...] 15, 2011 by bookwormbethie So as most of y’all now, a few weeks ago, hubby & I made the long drive up to Albany, NY to visit my grandpa who was declining in health. It had been a LONG time since I had been back [...]