Goodbye

My grandmother suffered a mild stroke a few years back, which left her only half aware of her surroundings. After that it was like she lived in a different world from ours, until Independence Day.

She has been living with my aunt this year, and they went together to see the fireworks display on the Fourth of July. Amidst the bursts of sounds and flash of colors she came to herself and suddenly remembered everything.It was as though she had been awakened from a slumber to put her affairs in order before the end.

Tonight I got a phone call from my mom with news of my grandmother's passing. As I drove home from work in the dark, listening to my mom speak, I caught a flash of light somewhere overhead. Fixing my gaze on the spot I saw a firework explode and then rain down from the sky.

Be at peace, Melba Black. You're home now.