Monday, June 22, 2009

Saying goodbye to my Uncle Edwin & dealing with the passing of my dear Grandma Cox.

My Uncle Otis Edwin Cox passed early Wednesday morning last week at the age of 62. He was the 6th son born to Ruth and Otis Cox with my father being the 7th. He struggled with his health for the last 10 years or so. His ailments included emphysema and hemochromatosis which lead to major organ dysfunction. I was not close to him or any of my uncles for that matter, however, this is the 3rd uncle I have lost and it pains me to see my cousins hurt so badly. I cried today at the service for his 6 surviving children and Otis' grandchildren. I put my arm around a 7 year old boy named Cody, whom I'd just met before the service, because his little eyes cried and cried for his Grandpa. I cried about all the wonderful things said about my uncle and how it seemed he was very envolved with his immediate family. I cried when I heard he called my Grandma Cox (the Great-Link of the Cox family) every night to see how she was dispite how he felt. I found it very touching that the young son-in-laws felt compelled to say a word or two on the spot about how they would miss him and how he touched their lives. I am happy for my cousins Edwin Jr., Amy, the twins Cindy and Wendy, Tracy, and Becky. They have been blessed with a father that seemed he would give the shirt off his back for them and they have the many memories of the times he had.
Since my uncles death, my Grandma Cox's health has rapidly declined. Her mourning has set her passing in motion. My mom, Gabe Cox, stayed with her today while her cargiver, my Uncle Carson went to his brothers funeral. Carson is her eldest living son in his 70's and has waited on my Grandma hand and foot for many years now.
After the funeral today I learned that Hospice Crisis Care was called this morning and they will be with her until the end. I knew this time would come and I have had a long time to prepare myself for it but now that it's here I feel a great sadness and I'm finding it hard to stay as strong as she has always been. My Grandma is 91 and I'm off this evening to kiss her and hold her.

1 comment:

bev said...

Ah Joanie so sorry. Our condolences to you and your family. It is never easy to lose a loved one.
Our thoughts are with you.