"Now Annie was in bed, groaning theatrically—she’s a drama major—but I told my mother I’d go anyway. I hadn’t seen my grandmother since she’d been admitted to Lawnrest."
I approached my grandmother's room uncertainly, the sterile smell of the hospital invading my nose. As I pushed open the door, the sight of my frail grandmother lying in the hospital bed tugged at my heartstrings. She looked even smaller and more fragile than the last time I had seen her.
"Hey, Grandma," I greeted her softly, attempting to put on a brave face.
Her eyes lit up with a mix of surprise and delight as she noticed me standing by her bedside. "Oh, dear! It's so good to see you," she said, her voice weak but filled with genuine affection.
I stepped closer and took a seat next to her, trying to suppress the uneasiness that had been building up within me. Despite being a drama major, my sister Annie had a habit of exaggerating her ailments, making it hard for others to distinguish between her genuine pains and her natural flare for theatrics.
"How are you feeling, Grandma?" I asked, hoping to divert her attention away from my sister's dramatics.
"Oh, you know me," she replied, managing a faint smile. "I'm just taking it one day at a time. But enough about me, how are you, dear? How's school? How's your sister doing?"
I chuckled inwardly, realizing my grandmother's knack for putting others' well-being before her own, even in her weakened state. I gave her updates on both Annie's theatrical pursuits and my own academic journey, making sure to highlight all the positive aspects to keep her spirits up.
As we continued to chat, I couldn't help but observe the tubes and monitors attached to my grandmother's frail body, their presence a stark reminder of her declining health. She had always been such a strong and independent woman, and seeing her confined to a hospital bed was a painful reality for me to accept.
Despite the circumstances, my grandmother's unwavering optimism and love for life shone through, providing a much-needed ray of hope amidst the gloomy hospital setting. We reminisced about cherished memories, shared laughter, and even shed a few tears.
Hours seemed to pass by in a blur, and it was time for me to finally bid my grandmother farewell. I held her hand gently, feeling the fragility of her skin against my own. "I love you, Grandma," I whispered, my voice quivering with emotion.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she squeezed my hand weakly. "I love you too, my sweet child. Take care of yourself, and don't worry about me. I'll be alright."
With a heavy heart, I left my grandmother's room, feeling a mix of emotions. It tore me apart to see her like this, but at the same time, our time together had allowed me to cherish the love and wisdom she had always bestowed upon me.
As I stepped out of the hospital, I couldn't shake off the concern for both my sister and my grandmother. Annie's theatrics had distracted me, but now it was clear that I needed to stay strong for my family, supporting them in any way I could.