Grandma is Coming Home

Hi everyone,

I know it has been a long time since I have shared an update on Grandma. I looked back and realized my last blog post was June 13, 2025 — and here we are a year later.

The truth is, caring for Grandma has become a full-time part of life. There have been doctor visits, daily routines, hard decisions, small victories, emotional days, and a whole lot of figuring things out as we go. Somewhere in the middle of all that, updating the blog kept getting pushed to the side.

But there is a lot to share now, and it feels like the right time to start writing again.

When I first brought Grandma to live with me, my main concern was her health, her safety, and her quality of life. At the time, I truly believed it was the best decision. She needed care, stability, and someone who could help manage all the moving pieces.

But over time, I have had to accept something hard: while being here has helped in many ways, it has also taken a toll on her mental and emotional health.

One of the things Grandma has missed the most is being with Desiree every day. Grandma and Desiree have been together almost every day since August 12, 1964. That is not something you replace. Grandma has been surrounded here by family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren, and she is deeply loved. But nothing can replace the feeling of home, familiar routines, and being with Desiree.

This time in my home has also taken a toll on my relationship with Grandma. Once upon a time, I would show up at her house and she would throw her arms up and squeal, “Come give me some sugar!” Over the past year and a half, she has grown to resent me in ways that have been hard to feel. I do not take it personally. I know she loves me. I also know she just wants to be home. I know the resentment I’ve felt from her has not truly been about me — it has been a reflection of how deeply she misses home.

A few months ago, I started arranging visits with Desiree a few times a month. I thought it would help, and in some ways it did. But it also made her homesickness even stronger. Each visit reminded her of what she was missing.

There is also someone many of you may not know yet, but she has become a very important part of Grandma’s life and care.

Her name is Kim.

Kim has been helping me since December 2025, and she has truly been a Godsend. Grandma has bonded with her, and they have formed a real friendship. They share a love of all things plants, they enjoy shopping together, and Kim has a way of encouraging Grandma that has been good for both of us.

Honestly, I do not know if I would have maintained my sanity over the last six months without her. Kim gives Grandma something I cannot always give her right now — a break from me. And maybe I needed a break too.

Kim was just what we both needed.

Now, Kim has agreed to live with Grandma full time so we can make it possible for Grandma to return home. We don't have an exact date yet, but we are thinking mid-July. Kim will be helping with Grandma’s daily care, medications, meals, housekeeping, appointments, mobility safety, and companionship.

But Kim cannot be the whole village. None of us can.

That is why I am asking for help as we rebuild Grandma’s circle of support in Hawkinsville.

Please visit. Please check in. Please call. Please stop by and meet Kim. I truly believe you will love her as much as Grandma and I do. She is helping make something possible that means the world to Grandma.

We are also looking for help with a few practical needs.

Years ago, the toilet in the back bedroom started leaking and caused the floor to rot. The water was turned off, and the floor was never repaired. We are seeking help from any local group, church, ministry, nonprofit, or volunteer organization that may be able to help repair the floor and replace the toilet. This will give allow Kim to have her own bathroom space.

Since Grandma has been with me, she has been going to the Senior Center every day. We have established some wonderful resources here, including medical supplies at no cost, daily senior center activities, food assistance and transportation through Three Rivers Council on Aging.

It has taken me over a year to get these resources in place.

Now I will be starting over in Pulaski County, and I would deeply appreciate any guidance, contacts, recommendations, or local knowledge anyone has to offer.

We are looking for resources related to:

• Home repairs
• Medical supplies or equipment
• Food assistance or food banks
• Transportation
• Senior activities
• Caregiver support
• Local programs for seniors and disabled adults
• 
  

Kim will also be looking for part-time work locally. She will be Grandma’s main caregiver, but ideally, she could work between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. once Grandma is up, fed, has had her morning medications, and has a safe plan in place for the day.

It would be wonderful if Grandma had a Senior Center, local activities, or a daytime routine to attend during those hours. Keeping Grandma busy is part of what is keeping her young.

She still has several good years left on this earth. She is too nosey to leave us. LOL. And she loves us too much to leave us too.

Our goal is simple: help Grandma return home safely, stay connected to the people she loves, and live with dignity, routine, purpose, and community.

If you know of any local resources, organizations, churches, senior programs, repair ministries, transportation options, food banks, medical supply programs, or job leads for Kim, please reach out.

And most of all, please come see Grandma.

She needs her village again.

You can all reach me on Facebook or call/text me at (678) 410-0908