6.2.09

My mom called this morning and said Grandpa had called first thing this morning requesting everyone come to town. The nursing home had called and said grandma had taken a turn for the worse over night. They were headed up. I requestsed that they call Christopher because I didn't want to get the dreaded news over the phone while I was home alone. After lunch there was a beautiful summer rain falling as I napped with my Noah. When I heard Christopher's car door close hours before he should have been home, I knew exactly why. Strangely enough, it wasn't as devastating as I thought it was going to be. Perhaps that is because I was so thankful for the extra time we had her here on earth as we thought we were close to losing her last summer. I got some beautiful pictures of her with my baby girl and know that she was so pleased to get to hold her, if only once. Maybe it is because it was such a gradual decline that we were able to prepare ourselves for the inevitable. It also helped to talk to my mom who was present when she passed to hear that it was very peaceful. I can't help but be reminded of a song they used to play on my mom's radio station when I was younger: "Heaven's got to be a happy place, my [grandpa's] going there. Everyone around with smiles on their faces, folks who really care." She will certainly be missed but I am, of course, grateful to know that she is no longer in any pain and that she has been reunited with many loved ones and is reaping the wonderful reward that is hers in heaven today.