I’m glad we could all be together today. My parents, my brother and his wife and their child. What a consolation the little guy was!

My dad and I got to the hospital a few minutes after the rest of the group, and went to grandma’s room. Her name was still on the door. But the bed was empty, there was just the bare, dark gray mattress. I backed up into the hall. A nurse’s aide directed us to room 311, in the north wing.

I wonder how it’s possible for the mind to contain the idea of walking into a room, with the intention of saying goodbye – forever – to someone you’ve known for your entire life. Well, that was my intention and that’s what I did. It was hard. Then I leaned on the wall outside the door and wiped my eyes and looked at the number – 311 N – and decided I should remember it.

I remember a lot of things, like opening presents on Christmas and singing together in church. And how Grandma always made a big deal about my pretty hair. Maybe not what guys usually think is cool, but I always thought it was sweet.

Oh, won’t somebody come stay this long, cold, stormy night with me? … Inside joke, just between Grandma and a few of us she made feel special.