6 Years

Six years ago today I lost the person I was closest to in the world, with the exception of my husband and children.

My grandmother died six years ago today.

My mother was 21 when I was born, as was I when I had my first child, but she was completely and totally unready or able to be a mother. She went back to work two weeks after I was born and I stayed with my grandma.

It was my grandma who fed and clothed me and took me to school each day. It was she I cried for when life treated me badly. She taught me to cook and to sew. She listened to me endlessly. Always. She was without a doubt, the kindest, most loving person I've ever known and I miss her deeply, still.

The Princess was with me at the hospital when my grandma died. We had been at the hospital all day and I was in the room with my grandma when she died. The Princess was in the lobby with an aunt. After she died, we sat around in the waiting room for a while, all of the family who was there, and suddenly The Princess,who was almost one and had not yet walked, stood up and walked across the room as though she was walking right to someones outstretched arms. Only there was no one we could see there. I know it was my grandma calling her and God giving us all something to ease the sadness a bit. The blessing of abundant life in the midst of sorrow.

I miss you Grandma.