The Last Hug

Grace's struggles ended Saturday night, 9:00 April 28, 2012.  The Thursday before I called my daughters to tell them it was time.  She slipped into a deep sleep.  We sat with her, we slept in her room, we played all the music she loved.  Hospice came and went.  Our minister came and prayed with us. My nephew came.  John and Greg were there. 

At the end, we held her, talked to her, prayed with her and sang to her. 

We really don't sing well.

After she was gone, suddenly the only Grace I could remember was my mother.  She was strong and vibrant; her thoughts were clear and clever.  She was my friend, my confident, my support.  The weak woman with the disintegrating mind was hard to remember.

I thought I was ready and the wave of grief surprised and engulfed me.   My daughters stepped in to support me.  They stayed with me and they watched over me.  Most of all, they grieved with me.  They understood the pain because it was in their hearts as well.  The Lord waited and took my mom when He knew I'd be supported.  He is a merciful and loving God.

The service wasn't until May 12.  My daughters spent the time scanning photos and building a memory book for the service.  It was beautiful.

Her dog is miserable.  For the first few days he went into her room repeatedly, searching and crying.

Grace Cobean Harrison, 88, longtime Glenview resident, formerly of Evanston, passed away April 28, 2012, beloved wife of the late Joseph; loving mother of Laine (Martin) Cobb, Jeph (Jo) Harrison and Edie Harrison; proud grandmother of Dan (Christina) Martin, Kit (Janet) Harrison, Marc (Christi) Harrison, Ellie (Randy) Harrison Bly, Tessa Harrison, Mandy (Greg) Friend, Carrie Muehlbauer and Tom Harrison; great grandmother of Olivia, Isa, Alistair, Agatha, Jimmy, Rosie and Isla. Grace is survived by her dog, Blackie. She attended Evanston Township High School and Northwestern University. She was a member of PEO, AOII and the bridge club that didn't play bridge. Memorial Service Saturday, May 12 at 10 a.m. at Glenview Community Church, 1000 Elm St. (at Glenview Rd.), Glenview. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ASPCA at, www.donate.aspca.org or Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.