Saying Goodbye

I lost my grandma today. It has been a very hard day filled with tears, laughter and just good ol' family bonding. My grandma passed extremely peacefully and in her true style...still taking care of all of us in her final moments. By that I mean we were all going to send someone out to get us lunch because none of us had eaten. I was sitting next to her and as everyone was writing down what they wanted to eat, I noticed she had not taken a breath since the one before. I told everyone I think she had stopped breathing and sure enough, she had.

My grandmother would always say "go and eat...don't worry about me" and today...I think she was still saying that even in her final moments. She knew none of us would leave, we all even said that out loud, and I think she finally felt it was okay for us to leave and she let go and went home to be with the Lord.

We called hospice and they were truly wonderful with us. They were there for us at 4am this morning, sent someone over around 930 for about an hour and were with us until we left at 4pm this evening. My grandmother passed at 140 today.

Words cannot express how difficult this day has been. I lost someone whom I love more than life itself.

I am very peaceful and am doing okay. I am peaceful knowing she is at peace now.

Mam-ma...I love you so very much! I will miss you so very much but I know that you will always be with me, Emily, Erik, and all of us. I will see you again...

MABEL VIRGINIA PUTNAM PAICH TRENTZ

November 11, 1922 to August 1, 2008