My grandmother passed away on the 17th of June 2011. More than a month has passed and it is easier to think about her as time passes. I felt what most people feel when they lose someone they love, grief.
Picture taken last year
Picture taken before I left two years ago
Grandma's 96th birthday
But along with the grief, I also felt guilt. I have been away studying for the past two years. That mean I have been away from her for the last two years of her life. When I left two years ago, I did not think I would see her again, she was 97. But I should never have underestimated her. My grandmother was an amazing woman.
She has done so much for this family. She has worked everyday of her life to make life better for her family. When she retired, she started to fix things up around the house. She would always be there in her wellingtons, hammering away at something or dragging a piece of wooden plank from one place to another.
When she developed cataracts on her eyes, we deemed it too dangerous for her to move around and made her sit in the house all day. You could tell it was torture for her. It was in her nature to move, to work and to be productive.
I am the person I am today because of her. She has worked so hard all her life to give her family everything. There is so much to tell about her and her amazing life. Too much but I just don't have the time.
When I came home two months ago, I went to visit her. She was happy I was home. She asked me if I was home for good. I said no. She didn't hear me. She said she was so happy I was home. So I let her think that I am home for good. A few weeks later, she left us.
Death in the family always make you rethink your priorities.
