go fish

My cousin, my sister and I sat around the rolling tray in my grandma's hospital room, while my brother looked up the rules. She wanted to play cards with her grand kids, so that's what we did.

My mom and my aunt smiled to themselves watching us. I smiled, too. The best part of the game was none of us could remember how to play go fish. So, we sat there and laughed. And made it up as we went along.

This was how I want to remember my grandma, not the frail, crying woman I saw when I got there Friday night. Not the woman in pain who hugged me tight, said she loved me, and looked into my eyes and said goodbye this morning. It was the finality in the way she said it that brought tears to my eyes.

I replied, I love you very much! And I’ll see you Saturday!

Now, I just have to find a flight, so I can keep that promise.