chou chope

she's an 81 year old new year's baby and the matriarch of our family, my only living grand. when my uncle arrived at her house he found the lights on but my grandma suspiciously on hiatus.

she's had a history of quick growing brain tumors and has had three major surgeries. none have ever effected her at all, her logic, and humor and wit have always returned..that's miraculous to me, the first surgery ever was a softball size tumor. grandma was only in her 60's then...she had been deteriorating, in fact, her over pressured mind was starting to give off major tell tale signs, but none of us knew at the time what those signs meant..

weeks before her first tumor was found, i went to visit her. she asked if i was hungry and then she made me boxed mac and cheese...wtf? the best cook on the planet? what was she doing? she then proceeded to put a couple of tablespoons of garlic salt in it...the shit was unbearable, the worst prison gruel i had ever tasted...it was just weeks later that she fell over, had a seizure, and then we all found out what was up...

like i said though, the woman takes a licking and keeps on ticking...three massive tumor removal surgeries behind her, and she has a stroke...must have been a light one...she was jumbling words and unable to express herself...you could see the frustration in her eyes as she struggled to string sensible thoughts together...(my grandmother has told me that the most frightening experiences she has had have been while she was physically unable to express herself, but aware of the panic she was causing)

my uncle said, "mother, who is the president?"

she said, "hmmm, you know, i can't think of his name...but i know i love him.."

she's much better this morning...still in the hospital, but blood thinners have helped. she was giggling and smiling and enjoying the impromptu family gathering that she unknowingly brought on...maybe that's why she recovers so well, can't stand to miss anything...