Strength in Numbers

Yesterday afternoon my grandmother passed away.

I've tried to write this entry a dozen times and I can't make the words worthy of who my grandma was. A wonderful mother. A fantastic grandmother. A good friend. An amazing woman. It all sounds trite in the face of describing a woman who has meant so much to so many people, and most importantly to my family.

I guess a testament to who she was lies in the wonderful children she and my grandpa raised. All weekend long, from the moment she was rushed to the emergency room Saturday morning to the moment she passed yesterday, her nine children and their spouses and as many of us grandkids that could get there held vigil on the third floor of South Shore Hospital. For as many tears as there were there was laughter too, and bittersweet memories mixed with jokes and anecdotes as everyone crowded into her tiny hospital room that for those three days felt like the most important room in the world.

And over those few days, to see the enourmous emotional strength of my aunts and uncles, of my own father warmed my heart and made me feel so lucky, in spite of all the sadness. This is what I come from, these incredible people are a part of me.

And it brings me comfort, and I hope others in my family too, that she passed in a way that we should all hope to go, with her loved ones surrounding her.

I love you Grandma.