Grandma J.

I went back to my parents for a few days for Grandma  J.’s funeral. 

Isn’t it weird to see people you haven’t been around for years?

My brothers and I are the younglings of the extended family and folks always seem surprised that we all grew up.  It is a weird feeling.

Grandma J. was ready to go so saying goodbye wasn’t hard.  I loved her and she loved me.  She gave me a lot during her life.  She’s someone who never really caught a break, but kept her wits about her for ninety years.

She was tenacious and resilient.  I hope that passed to me.

My two brothers and I have not all been together in four years.  I have two nephews that live far away.  The little one had no idea who I was.

Isn’t it weird to see people you haven’t been around for years?

All in all, things were nice.

That’s weird to say.

I played with the kiddos, sat by a bonfire, drank beer, played Trivial Pursuit and pull tabs, laid in the lawn, brunched, sat on a dock,  laughed with my brother, visited with family, saw dear friends, met new babies, hugged, and got hugged.

Not a bad way to spend a few days saying goodbye.

I think that’s how she’d have wanted it.