Good-bye Granny

You died on Saturday March 2, 2013. I have to admit that I was surprised by your passing. You had been in hospital for a week or so and you were being treated for pneumonia. We had been hearing conflicting reports - first you were poorly, then you were good, then you were poorly again and then you were good again. You were always so strong, I figured you would pull through this. You had a spunkiness about you that had me believing you would somehow out-live all of us. That didn't happen though, so now I'm saying good-bye.
I have a lot of memories of you. I've known you a long time. My favourite memory is how you and Grandpa would take me and my cousins to the Woodwards in downtown Vancouver at Christmas time.   We would get in that fantastic "elves in the workshop" line-up to see Santa Claus. Afterwards you would let each of us pick a toy from the toy shop that was cleverly placed right behind Santa. I don't remember if we would go to the White Spot before or after our trip to the department store but I do remember always ordering the "pirate ship" off the menu. I remember lots of trees decorated in lights. I remember holding your hand.
Other memories include you teaching me how to knit or how to plant seeds in the garden. I remember you used to give my brother and me a quarter each so we could buy an ice cream at the nearby MacDonalds. You used to have a sweet dog named Max and drove a huge car (must have been a station wagon or something). I remember you also seemed uncomfortable or in pain most of the time. I remember you getting cranky more often than not. You had a great laugh though. I think I will always remember your laugh.
I am thankful for the way you passed Gran. I'm told they gave you enough drugs to help you sleep and sometime around 2pm, you slipped quietly away. You were comfortable, finally out of pain, and I'm told you looked peaceful. You never had to live in a nursing home, you had all your mental capacities and you were regularly visited by those you loved. You did good Gran.
I'm truly sorry I don't remember the last conversation we had. I know we Skyped on the computer and no doubt, Brandon was probably yelling and running around. I hope I told you I loved you because I do.
So it's been a couple of days now and life is slowly returning to normal. Bills to pay, laundry to do, work to go to etc. I understand that life is for the living and it's time for me to get on with things and make happy memories with those that are closest to me. I won't forget you and I intend to share our stories with Brandon. I think he's a bit too young to remember you but as he grows, he'll know about you.
I expect that I will see you again someday. Until I do, rest in peace Gran. xoxo