Last night we finished our 29 hour and just under 30 minute bus ride to Ecuador. It was so awesome to be reunited with my squadmates and swap stories from the month. The bus ride was long but we stuck through it (I read A LOT). At one of the stops, we were able to get wifi and I called home to get news about my grandmother. And it was not the type of news one wants to receive in a bus stop diner in the middle of Colombia when you know you won’t have wifi again for 24 hours.
I finally had to face the reality that I knew was coming. My grandmother is dying. As of last night, she was transferred from the ICU to a hospice facility. She is no longer conscious and though we cannot be certain, she will probably be gone within the next week. I knew this was coming but it sure doesn’t make it any easier. Saying goodbye to my grandmother in August was by far the most difficult because I knew that in all likelihood, I would not be seeing her on this Earth again.
My grandmother loved cards and would send them to us for every holiday- every. single. one. She loved chocolate, even after saying she was stuffed from dinner, she always seemed to have a second stomach to eat some chocolate. I remember spending many nights in our living with her sitting in the armchair with a brownie bite in one hand and a Coors Light in the other. She would always laugh hysterically at Sheldon Cooper’s antics on The Big Bang Theory.
As I’m entering into this period of uncertainty that will lead to grief, I will lean on the Lord who will give me strength and comfort even through this hard time. I am thankful for my family who has loved my grandmother so well when I couldn’t be there for her and I’m thankful for how they are loving me even from far away. That’s the hardest part- not being there. Not being able to grieve with my family and not having them to give me a hug when I can’t hold back my tears anymore. But, God’s got me covered. He has given me an incredible family of 18 other people (not to mention some awesome squad leaders, squad mentors, and coaches) who are on this journey with me. My Y Squad family is loving me and keeping me laughing and in good spirits. I have never been so thankful for this incredible group of men and women who love the Lord and love me so well.
Please keep my family back home and my Grandma Dorothy in your prayers as the next few days are going to be difficult.
Thank y’all and God Bless,
Kaitlyn
