Grandma has passed.

We were all going out of town to Salida this weekend, but Friday we got word Grandma was not doing well. She was in hospice to recover from an infection, but it started to look like she wouldn't be leaving to go home in the traditional sense.

Tom and I took the kids to see her on Saturday. We were stopped at the door by Tom's parents, telling us we may not want to bring the kids in to see her because of the way she looked. The kids were taken down to the play area while we went in.

Grandma Vicky was 89 years old. Her health had been drastically declining in the past few years, but she was still Vicky. The woman I now looked upon was not the Vicky I have known. In her place was a body that showed her years. The skin draped upon her skull and her mouth gaped open. Her teeth now looked too large for her small frame. Her eyes stayed closed and she made random movements. She wasn't responding. She was dying.

Although she looked different, she wasn't scary. I felt the kids should come in to see her. They loved their great grandma and I wanted them to see that she was quite sick, so when I explained she was gone, it would make some sense to them. I brought Ella and Allison to her bedside. Allie was a little frightened, so I kept her in my arms, but Ella went right up to her. She started telling her great grandma how she had been at the zoo that day, this being one of the few times great grandma didn't make the trip with us. Upon hearing the children's voices, great grandma opened her eyes and said a few words. I heard "Ella" and "zoo". Vicky was for sure responding. It was great to have that happen.

Next, I put Vicky's hand on my belly and told her "baby" and she repeated the word. She simply adored her great grandchildren so much. She was there for each of their births, being one of the few people to hold them when they were not yet even an hour old. I'm happy she learned she would have another great grandchild, if only for a fleeting moment.

We said our goodbyes and went home. The next day she was less responsive, not opening her eyes at all. The children and I stayed home while Tom spent time with her, along with his parents.

Saturday night, at 9:30pm, hospice called the family and said she was in the process of active dying. It would still be hours, but the family gathered. While Vicky slept, the family was next to her, speaking quietly of the good times they've had with her.

At 1:30am, Vicky's daughter, Diana, felt the urge to go sit next to her mom. There was no chair, so she brought a wheelchair over, sat down and held her hand. Vicky took 3 deep breaths and then died.

Vicky had a wonderful life, filled with family and love. She passed with her children all around, her daughter grasping her hand.

Goodbye Vicky. You will be missed.