Last night (Sunday night) at about midnight my phone started buzzing.  Half asleep, I squeezed my phone to make it stop and put it under my pillow.  A minute later it was buzzing again.  Glen woke me and said 'you'd better check that, something might be wrong.'  There were messages from my parents asking me to call. 

I quickly called my Mom, who told me that my Grandma had gone to sleep the night before and never woke up.  

This was coming. At 98, she wasn't well.  Two weeks before I left for Australia I said good bye knowing very well that may be the last time.

I went out to the living room to call my sisters.  It was Sunday morning in NY and I wasn't going to sleep while my family was going through this.  We were going through it together.  

My family and I had discussed this before I left and agreed that if this happened, I wouldn't come back.  But for the first time since I arrived, I didn't want to be in Australia.  I wanted to be home, in New York, with my family.  

I texted and talked with my sisters through the night and one of us always had an update of where my parents and Aunt and Uncle were, what they were doing and the arrangements they were making.  

My Grandma Jean and Grandpa Manny (who died twelve years ago) were such special people.  They had four grandchildren and we each had such a great relationship with them.  

My Grandma was always giggling and so happy. She hugged or kissed everyone, in fact, a lot of other family friends referred to her as Grandma Jean, too.  I realize that living to be 98 is a privilege, but I will miss her forever.

Which leaves me here in Australia, sad and a little bit homesick.  

Mom, I'm so sorry I'm not there for you right now.  I can't believe I'm not going to be able to hug you.

Grandma Jean, as always, I love you big bunches, with hugs, kisses and pinches. 

Here's to you, Grandma, on a life well lived.