Today I just had to write about the incredibly sweet relationship Ella has with her Great Grandma, my maternal Grandmother. Ella’s main caregiver in her baby center was an older woman, and I think this has a lot to do with the fact that she quickly bonded with my Grandma soon after coming home. Now that we have temporarily moved in with my parents and Grandma, Ella’s relationships with all of them have flourished. But today is all about Ella and her Great Grandma and their adoration for each other.

Great Grandma’s not in the best of health. She has suffered through cancer and lives with the dementia that Alzheimer’s disease brings. Regardless of her daily woes, her life is incredibly brightened simply by the presence of her great granddaughter, and Ella loves her right back. Ella has taken to wanting to help Great Grandma get around. She walks with a walker, but if going a short distance, is helped by one of us family members. Ella quickly caught on and insists on being picked up and holding onto Great Grandma’s arm or elbow to “help” her to her destination.

One of the sweetest signs of their relationship came last week. Ella really enjoys emptying cabinets and bringing all of their contents to Great Grandma as she sits on the couch (see photo for an example of Great Grandma sitting by all her treasures.) Great Grandma swoons over each little gift that Ella brings, and it’s a fun game for both of them. Well, last week Ella wanted to take a carton of orange juice and a bottle of grape juice out of the refrigerator door. She took them straight to Grandma’s spot on the couch and marched right back into the kitchen and asked for a cup. She was trying to get a drink for Great Grandma, since she knows that she likes to drink juice. Can you even stand the sweetness?

That same night, after the juice, my mom was helping Great Grandma walk through the house, so we called Ella to offer her assistance. Ella looked at Great Grandma, turned the other direction and went straight into the other room. I found her pulling Great Grandma’s walker out of its spot in the living room. She was trying to bring it to Great Grandma to help her get back to the couch.

My sweet, sweet girl. I hope that she will always remember the bond that they share, and I'll do my best to see to that.

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Photo © Rebecca Hess 2007