Sometime around 1982, the doctor told my grandma she was dying of stomach cancer, and gave her 6 months to live.

She told him she simply didn't have the time for such nonsense- she had two grandkids to watch grow up, and she'd take him up on his offer in 25 years, when she had the time to. On January 1, 2007, she had the time to, and we lost her to slip and fall outside her house. Hell of a way to start the year.

There is the inevitable pain, anger, doubt, and sorry. It can't be real, but it is. It is hard to realize you have lost them, but as the preacher at my grandma's service said, "How can you say you've lost something, when you know exactly where it is?"

Then, comes the reflection, the fond memories of what they taught you. Never forget those, and most importantly, never forget celebrating them, and celebrating who they were in body and in spirit.

My prayers are with you.