This is Grandma's Tortoise Mom. I'm sorry to say she passed away on Sunday, June 14, on the way home from her final trip to Dr. Johnson's office. We surrounded her with love and gave her the chance to go to sleep without any more suffering. In the end, it was the kindest thing we could do for her. She made it to her 50th birthday, but could go no farther. We all knew it, especially Grandma.
We got one more morning of quality time with her, which was a real gift as she hadn't been responsive or alert for many days. On Sat. June 13, Dr. Johnson said Grandma was in the dying process but we could take her home for one more chance to enjoy sitting near her favorite burrow.
She surprised us by rallying Sunday morning. She tilted her head and listened as we sat in the shade and talked with her. She took sips of water from the hose as we told her it was ok to finally let go. We thanked her for all the joy she has brought over the years and for teaching us so much about living a simple, honest, quality life. Who knew a simple tortoise could touch so many hearts, but Grandma sure did.
Then we took her to Dr. Johnson's, a very sad trip, but he went the extra mile to let us stay with her. In the end I do believe she knew how much she was loved.
After she slipped away peacefully Sunday afternoon, we waited until evening to put her back under the littleleaf cordia, in a spot where she loved to graze on all the little flowers that drop like desert snowflakes. We marked it with flagstone and flowers, and said a prayer, thanking God for letting us enjoy her for so long and for making such a hard day easier on her. We couldn't ask for more, except for her to magically recover.
We're sad but also grateful Grandma came into our lives. She made us laugh so much. She also taught life lessons about love, simplicity and just being yourself. And always living in the moment. No worries about the past or future, and no trying to be anything other than her charming, gracious self.
I miss talking to her all the time, and just saying her name to check on her. I miss monitoring the temperature for her and giving her long drinks from the hose outside. Mostly I just miss how incredibly fun she was. She made me laugh every day.
We didn't expect to spend nearly six years taking care of Grandma's special needs following her bladder stone surgery in 2009. It was a lot of work but also so rewarding. We learned so much more about her specifically, and desert tortoises in general. They are remarkable hard-shell weather stations and know more about the angle and color of light than we can imagine. Grandma gave us the opportunity to see the world from her perspective, and it is truly wonderful.
I realize now that Grandma gave more to me than anything I did for her. She became part of my therapy for my own injuries. She got me writing and laughing again. She calmed me with her peaceful spirit. She tilted her head and listened to my voice so I always had a trusted friend who didn't judge. Grandma reminded me to live in the moment because that's where to find peace. She was a survivor too, and cheerfully adapted and adjusted and didn't give up even as her world got smaller from increasing medical problems. She wouldn't let go until she had completed her bucket list: getting to spend a few days back out in the big burrow, getting one more drink from the sprinklers, and finally, rallying to spend time with us on that final morning in the yard before it was time to go.
There will never be another Grandma the Desert Tortoise. So I don't know the future of this blog. Grandma tried to share her story and what we learned to help others appreciate and take care of their own tortoises better. To be a resource for making comfortable habitats and learning their special needs for survival in a harsh climate. For sharing just how special these ancient, protected creatures are, each with their own personality. We hope her legacy will be inspiring others to learn all they can so their own tortoises have long and healthy lives. These are not short-term pets, but require a lifelong commitment to their well being. But, after decades of taking care of Grandma, I can truly say it's so worth it. RIP Grandma. We love and miss you.
