Together, forever, at last

Yesterday, a day of peace and calm serenity, my grandpa passed away to be with my grandma in heaven forever and always.

I've been able to learn a lot from my grandparents, although my grandma died just about 10 years ago, I never really felt like I was able to know her. Once my grandma died, my grandpa became very much to himself, secluding himself away from the family. In the past few weeks, even though he never fully knew who I was, to him I was just another nurse, deep down, between conversations, and stories he tried to remember, I felt I was able to connect with a old man I never had the chance to connect with years past.

Over the past month and a half, between living in my house and visits to hospitals and nursing homes, my grandpa was the strongest person. With his mind forgetting almost everything, each step of the way, the scary trip of not knowing scared him, like it would anyone else. I grew to honor that and appreciate the time I was able to spend with him.

My mom, the most caring, the daughter anyone could ever wish for, was able to be there for my grandpa. I love my mom dearly and seeing her go though this has torn me apart. Being there, standing at his bedside watching him die in front of her, the tears we both shed at that given time weren't from sadness exactly, but happiness he would finally be without pain. He would finally be with my grandma, after 10 years apart, their love for each other never died. As my mom held my grandpas hand on earth, my grandma took over within that few seconds, and held his hand to heaven. I'm sad that I was never able to take the time to get to know both my grandparents while they were here, but I'm also very happy to know that I'm now blessed enough to have recognized the love they both shared and the glow in my grandpas eyes only a few seconds before he took his last breath as he opened his eyes to look at my mom and a picture of my grandma.

The tears are not that of sadness, but the realization that I'm lucky enough to have two loving grandparents in heaven watching over me. They both lived a long life, both with each other and apart, but now they are together, happy and dancing in the clouds, together. Constantly watching over my family, I hope that in the future, I can make them proud. Proud of the granddaughter that hopes to impact the lives of others much like they both impacted me. I will always feel the comfort and love they shared for me, only this time I know they're both happy, together, forever.