Ethel

Ethel is Brent's grandmother whose health is steadily failing. She is currently 90 years old and is one of the most independent women I have ever met. She mowed her own acreage, gardened, and lived without assistance until recently. She was able to safely drive a car until about 6 months ago. That is a huge achievement in life. When I met her she didn't want assistance climbing the stairs. She is the type of woman to tell like it is and that is hard to come by with someone from her generation living in reserved, Scandinavian Minnesota.

She is a painter, an artist of real talent. We have several of her landscapes hanging in our apartment. There are daily things that remind me of Ethel... a determined look, a light laugh, a reference to beer.

And yes I said beer. Ethel loves her beer. One family event she arrived with her mug of beer and had a few glasses of red wine. Brent and I watched her with amusement as we swayed to the carols holding a glass of wine in one hand and a puppy in the other. We thought for certain the wine would end up staining his mom's beige carpet... but luckily she kept it contained! Then the real crowd pleaser came when she chewed on some turkey for a while and then took it out of her mouth to feed to the puppy.

Adorable, right?

Or when a woman is brazen enough to say, "At least I'm not the oldest one here!" while slanting her head toward a dinner guest a few years her senior that was seated directly beside her. The guest had no hearing loss issues either! Wow. Shock. Awe.

She is such a breath of fresh air.

My hope is that her son, Brent's dad, be comforted by the fact that his mother has led a very full life and that her passing is a natural experience. This has been very trying for Brent's parents since they live so close and see the daily withdrawl from reality.

I will feel comfort knowing what an impact she has had on all those who have known her, and loved her.

We don't know what to expect as far as how long she will hold on, but please keep Ethel in your thoughts and prayers.