GRANDMOTHER

Fifty-six year old "Marilyn" was admitted to hospice due to brain cancer. She recently moved in with her sister, "Anne", because she needed help and could no longer live alone. Ironically, Marilyn and Anne's ninety-five year old mother, "Vera", was also on hospice and not doing very well at all.

Right before I went on a two week vacation, I heard that Vera was close to death. When I returned two weeks later, I learned that Vera had died while I was away. I called Anne's home to check in to see on how she and her sister were coping. Anne said that her mother had lived a good long life and that it was her time.

She then shared that her daughter had given birth to a baby girl four days after her mother's death. This was Anne's first grandchild and she thought that it was very special to have a baby born so close to her mother's departure.


GRANDMOTHER

One is saying goodbye,
while another hello.
One has had a long life,
while the other has just begun.

The circle of life
brings up emotions galore.
Happiness and sadness
all because of love.

Her mother had a long life.
Longer than most ever see.
She'll miss having her around,
but knows it was her time.

Four days later a new life emerges.
Her baby granddaughter has arrived.
Softening the blow of such a great loss.
Bringing hope, love and joy.

She sees God's hand in all of this.
Creation of a perfect design.
"God's taken away one grandmother
while giving us another."