It has been a VERY busy and productive couple of days. I headed for Richmond at 6:30am on Thursday morning. The Guardianship/Conservator court hearing was set for 8:45am but I needed to be there a little after 8am to meet up with my attorney and the GAL. I was a little anxious - just the whole court formality and such. So many things to remember. Stand up when speaking to the judge. Sit down when not speaking. Every statement is prefaced or completed with "your honor". Don't speak out of turn or unless spoken to. Only give the information that is requested. Even remembering my right hand from my left to be sworn in seemed complex. But despite the formality of the hearing, it really was quite simple, painless, and brief. I was questioned, but not for long. I suppose all of the investigative work and such that was included in all of the reports submitted to the court provided the bulk of the substantiation. When asked whether I understood magnitude of the reponsibility I was taking on of two adults, I was confident about my answer...it's what I have been doing, nearly blindly, for 7 weeks. I never would have thought I could handle something so big, but God seems to give me just what I need when I need it. After the hearing, I met with the bondsmen to obtain my surity bond. Then, to meet with the Clerk of the Court for my qualification appointments- one for Etta and one for James. It was at this time that I took my oath. I signed so many papers and was thankful for an attorney who was looking over my every move. After about 2 1/2 hours, I headed out of the courthouse with my certificates in hand. Like a well oiled machine, I looked at the clock and thought, what's next? Head over to their house to meet the Clutter Cleaner guys who were already combing the house. I tried to predict how long that would take so I could visit my cousin Peggy who was sitting at the hospital while her mother (Etta's sister) had triple bypass surgery. And then? Maybe I could? I bet I could squeeze in? And then, it hit me. Ineeded a moment to just take in what this day was about. It was about progress and determination...about loyalty and compassion. Every tear I had cried over the past 7 weeks...every night I woke up worried sick about their futures...every frustrating phone call...every new discovery...every set back and disappointment...every ounce of grief and heartache...every sacrifice made...it was all part of the path, the uphill climb to this day. Today, I was entrusted with the incredible responsibility of caring for my grandparents and ensuring their wellbeing to the best of my ability. Moreoever, I now carried a badge of honor that allowed me to protect them from ever being hungry, dirty, hurting, or without a voice ever again. This was not a moment to just check of the ever growing list of things to accompish, but something to be celebrated, even if just in my heart. Of course, James and Etta know nothing of these matters. This is the behind the scenes stuff they will never know about and one of the greatest rewards is just that...they don't need to know the flurry happening for their benefit. This is the time in their lives that they can eat ice cream before dinner, spend the whole afternoon watching soaps, or just daydream a little longer...
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