Nana News: Missing Sharon – one of Nana’s girls

Years ago, Nana was in the hospital— maybe after a fall, maybe after a back surgery. I was there to visit and help her when she was ready to go home. As I entered her room, the nurse said, “I’m glad you’re here. She’s been asking, ‘Where are my girls?”

Sharon and I are Nana’s girls. It doesn’t matter Nana has passed away. It doesn’t matter two years ago today, Sharon passed away. Sharon and I will always be Nana’s girls.

Sharon and I were a team on everything Nana. We were together in 1969 when we convinced Nana it was time to leave Daddy. As Nana sat in a drafty, rundown house with no teeth in her mouth, Daddy was cheating on her with other women and drinking away the household money. Sharon and I were both on our own and promised to help her. We helped her find a place to live and get dentures for the first time in fifteen years. Over the years, along with our brother Bill, we helped her move, helped her buy cars and helped with home repairs.

When Nana lost her factory job at Montgomery Mills, Sharon helped. She offered Nana a new career as a caregiver for daughter Lori and later her son Jeff. In return, Nana took tender care of Sharon’s loved ones—Lori and Jeff and any animals in the house like Thumper the bunny and Frosty the African Gray.

As Nana aged, Sharon and I coordinated phone calls to check on her day and night. I did the daytime check-ins and Sharon was the nighttime gal. For years, Nana called Sharon every night before she went to bed. She often talked to Sharon’s voicemail but she never failed to call. And Sharon always checked for Nana’s call.

During my monthly visits, one of Nana’s greatest joys was when Sharon joined us on our outings to May’s Restaurant or The Fence. Sometimes just Sharon and I got together for a quick ride while Sharon took her kitties to the vet, or a fast run to get a soft serve ice cream cone. Nana was always so happy when ‘her girls’ hung out together.

As Nana’s girls, Sharon and I coordinated care for Nana’s health. We discussed and agreed about her doctor’s appointments, medications and supplements. Together, we found creative ways to get Nana to eat more food and drink more fluids, even if that was Kentucky Fried Chicken, KitKats and Sprite. Later, we communicated with Nana’s care helper Cindy about all of Nana’s wants and needs. Because Nana’s girls knew her the best.

As the only surviving one of Nana's girls, I'm lonely today and miss them both so much. The years we all had together weren't enough. I want another fish sandwich lunch together at The Fence. I want more phone conversations with Sharon about Nana and, well, just everything. I want another of Sharon's famous 'selfies' of all of us together.

My only solace is now Nana is with one of her girls and someday Nana and 'her girls' will be reunited.