eighteen years and counting

I was too little to sign the cards for myself every time my grandma had a birthday, or for Christmas, or Mother's Day... until I was seven.  I asked if I could sign my grandma's card that year and Mommy said I could sign my name myself.  I was so excited!  But then Grandma went into the hospital and she fell asleep--hooked to a machine that counted her heart beats.  Mommy wasn't home for Mother's Day because she was in the hospital with Grandma.  Two days later Grandma decided she didn't want to wake up and her heart stopped.

It has been 18 years and I still can't stop my eyes from filling when I think about Grandma.  Although, three years later Grandpa joined her, and it was a relief to know that they were together again because they were each so alone.  Grandpa was alone, although I spent so much time with him after Grandma fell asleep.  But I am very sure they are together and happy.