This has been a difficult week. My Grandpa Jeffers died, and my family came together for his funeral. Getting the family together is no small feat. My mom was 1 of 10 kids, I am 1 of 32 grandkids and Mia is 1 of 34 great grandkids. There were still some who could not make it but it was the largest family gathering I can remember in the last 20 years.
Having a large family was important to my Grandparents. When you hear of a couple having 10 kids it would be easy to assume that there were some "oopsies" but for Grandma and Grandpa Jeffers it was all part of the plan. Their house was the source of some of my favorite childhood memories. Sleepovers with my cousins (one of which where my cousin Ellie accidentally stepped on Remy's stomach when walking to the bathroom). Card games at the dinner table (Grandma always supplied the quarters for 99 and insisted you keep your winnings). Quiet moments with Grandpa working on the latest puzzle in the nook.
It was an ideal childhood. I want Mia to have the same great experiences. When I learned she was on the Austism spectrum, I worried she would have a hard time engaging with the family. I underestimated the importance of family to my Grandparents. When Mia is only interested in picking the leaves off Grandmas plants, Grandma insists she is allowed to destroy them because she wants to be sure Mia has fun there. When Mia was only interested in pulling on Grandpas oxygen line, Grandpa used it as opportunities to reel her in like a fish so he could give her a big wet kiss.
The last months before my Grandpas death he was having a harder time talking. His voice was growing weaker. It was hard to know if you were making it difficult on him when you asked him questions. One of the last times I saw him we were sitting in the Family Room watching a Broncos game. He asked me "Have you talked to your parents lately?" "Uh...I think I talked to my mom about two weeks ago" I said. He started shaking his head. In a difinitive tone he said "You need to call your parents atleast once a week" he said "It doesn't matter if they call you or you call them, you make sure you talk to them once a week". My Grandparents have always known the importance of family.
