Layout:
Home > Heart & Soul Happy, Pockets Empty

Heart & Soul Happy, Pockets Empty

November 6th, 2015 at 09:41 pm

Hi everyone. I've been lurking on the blogs here & there, but have had too much going on to be able to post.

Last week B & I went on our camping holiday as planned. We cooked breakfast and dinner camping style and ate out every day. We went bike riding, to a winery, also to a brewery, to a national park, we did so much stuff. Because I really wanted to be able to put some money towards Phuket payment of balance of trip, I actually tracked all expenses while on holiday. I never do this normally but it was important know how we were going. By the end of October there was $260.00 left over, so have put it towards the holiday (as part of the banking the difference challenge).

We also spent the weekend visiting friends too. Then I got home on Sunday and mum called me up to let me know that nana had gone into renal failure, and if we wanted to say goodbye it needs to be done asap. All our family other than immediate family is in New Zealand. Nana was 86 and has had diabetes for many years. Last year she got sick with giant cell arteritis and never really recovered.

I love my nana very much so decided I had to go see her. Unfortunately my mother has just become so unfamily oriented. I saw nana last year when she was sick and had to beg her to go and see her. It was like pulling teeth. Then they had a great time and it was really happy. When she called me she said there's no point going as she won't know what was going on and she wasn't going because she already had happy memories.

I thought about and decided to go anyway. I wasn't really hearing back from anyone and didn't want to impose, so booked a hotel room instead of staying with relatives. My aunt told me off because she made up the bed as she thought I was coming, I wish I did stay there. The hotel room was nice though. I was in New Zealand from Wednesday through to last night, the entire cost (flights, accommodation, food) was $1400. Ouch. I only have $140 left for the month after accounting for bills and some savings, so it will be a quiet month.

The most important thing though is I got to see my nana and say goodbye to her. As soon as I got there l told her thank you for holding on for me and she started to move to hug me (I then had to hug her as she was far too weak). I got to tell her I love her, and chatted to her about many things, and we all reminisced of happy memories of her life. It was a lovely day and I now feel like I got closure. I will miss her.

She stayed alive until my cousin arrived from Australia yesterday morning and then died about 20 minutes later, she had declined rapidly by then. The funeral is next Tuesday. I wish I could be there but can't, I got to say goodbye that's the most important thing. RIP nana, love her so much.

21 Responses to “Heart & Soul Happy, Pockets Empty ”

  1. Ima saver Says:
    1446846383

    I am so glad you got to visit her and say goodbye. I am sure it meant so much to her. I am so sorry for your loss. rest in peace, nana.

  2. creditcardfree Says:
    1446847146

    I'm so sorry for your loss. May the happy memories sustain you while you grieve.

  3. MonkeyMama Says:
    1446850432

    I am sorry your loss. So nice that you got to say good-bye.

  4. CB in the City Says:
    1446854049

    I am sorry for your loss. I'm glad that you were able to say good-bye, though.

  5. bluesfemme Says:
    1446854912

    Glad you had the opportunity to go as that's what you'll look back on. That opportunity was because you previously put attention and work into your financial position, so when this hit you could assess quickly and react. Bless nana and all of you who will miss her.

  6. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1446857097

    I am sorry for your loss. Frown I'm glad you were able to go and say goodbye to her though!

  7. VS_ozgirl Says:
    1446861856

    Thanks so much for your kind words guys! And you guys are right, paying attention to your financial affairs means that you can act quickly, very grateful for that! I was a bit down before, I guess I will be for a little while. Thank you.

  8. snafu Says:
    1446865852

    Condolences for the loss of a much loved grandmother. I'm so glad you were able to spend the time chatting and letting her know how very much you loved her, just by your presence. Those are critical moments, don't you think?

  9. VS_ozgirl Says:
    1446868079

    Most definitely Snafu. As I said to my nana, I wouldn't miss saying goodbye to her for the world. I just had to see her one last time. And probably the most important thing was not only chatting with her, telling her I loved her, but letting her know that she mattered. I couldn't bear the thought of her lying there dying and thinking that nobody could take the time to see her one final time. (As it turned out there was so many people there we had to take turns to sit in the room in order to fit!). I know she loved having us all there.

  10. alice4now Says:
    1446894873

    So sorry for your loss, and I'm glad you had the opportunity to be with her for some closure.

  11. Livingalmostlarge Says:
    1446920791

    So sorry for your loss. I believe people hang on for those they love. I know it happened to me for my great grandmother as well. I made it and she was waiting for me.

  12. VS_ozgirl Says:
    1446951253

    Thanks guys; and Livingalmostlarge I believe you are right too, they do wait for you, they know. So happy I got to see her.

  13. scottish girl Says:
    1446974570

    I am so sorry for your loss.

  14. VS_ozgirl Says:
    1446980319

    Thanks SG.

  15. Pnwmom Says:
    1446998673

    I'm so sorry for your loss, but glad you got to say goodbye...hugs

  16. VS_ozgirl Says:
    1447052141

    Thanks Smile

  17. Buendia Says:
    1447201979

    I am so sorry! Those are truly the kinds of things that it is worth it to spend money on... I am so glad for you that you got to see her!

  18. VS_ozgirl Says:
    1447277922

    Thanks Buendia! Sometimes you just have to ask yourself what memory you would rather have in five years time: saying goodbye to a cherished family member or having a full purse for the month to really put it into perspective. (Of course saying goodbye won). Very happy to be able to say goodbye.

  19. PatientSaver Says:
    1447462381

    Oh, I'm so glad you got to see your nana. Family is precious, especially grandmas. You did the right thing! Hugs.

  20. Thrifty Ray Says:
    1448462585

    What a precious memory you have - I am glad you were able to make the journey- and I am so sorry for the loss of Nana. No doubt your visit was equally precious to her.

  21. VS_ozgirl Says:
    1448531445

    Thanks Patient Saver & ThriftyRay Smile I think she was really happy we all came, thanks for your condolences.

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]