touched moved inspired

Tater has been busy trimming the house plants, keeping Molly the Plot Hound busy, while Sweets has been perfecting her winter napping under the covers. The dogs keep a smile on my face- inevitably squeaking a toy while I'm on the phone, snoring on the couch or racing in circles with sticks as long as pole vaults in their mouths. They are prana, energy and are full of life on every level. I was catching up with a friend this past week, in the time that had passed, her grandmother had died. The funny thing was, she was hardly sad, but beamed about it.
"It was unexpected"
"I'm so sorry to hear that, " (the usual, same stuff that we all say), "was it a relief?"
"Well, she wasn't eating...the MRI showed a large mass...and she said, 'I want to go home'" 

So they took her home.

Then she said, "I want you to throw a party"

They did.

That Saturday relatives and friends came to toast and celebrate. She told what family member to bake or make. She instructed who she wanted to speak (well, she wasn't that uptight, but she made a few requests). It was a late night, laughter and tears and lots of conversation

 

"After the funeral, have people back to the house for sandwiches, that way they'll get a bite to eat, but won't stay late," she told them.

Three days later she died. No pain, no suffering, utterly peaceful. And, they did make sandwiches, and they did stay late. Toasting and still celebrating the grandma, mother, sister and friend that they loved.