Heaven gained another star tonight

 

 From left to right:  Grandma Odete, me, my mom, Grandma Jacinta in 2008

It is so excruciatingly difficult and painful to be away from home on a good day, but when something happens it makes it even worse.

This morning we got news that my grandma passed away.  My grandma Jacinta is my mom's mother and she hasn't been well for a few weeks, she even ended up in the hospital two weeks ago but everyone thought she was doing better and well on the road to recovery.

Unfortunately, last week she started deteriorating again and this evening she passed away, at home in her own bed surrounded by her children.

It breaks my heart.  I have missed out on so much since I left South Africa 15 years ago, and when things like this happen it really reiterates for you the fact that you are thousands of miles away and not able to hug the people you love.

I'm trying to stay positive and I'm trying to see the positive side of everything, and knowing that she is no longer in pain is huge for me.  I'm so glad she is now reunited with her husband and in a sense, happy that she can now see me and my children from up above and will no longer miss out on our lives.

But folks, it hurts.  It's a pain unlike any other and it cuts right to the core.

So I want to take a moment and thank the Lord for putting Granny Jacinta in my life, for the time I spent with her, and for being given the opportunity to know this wonderful woman and to hug her and kiss her when I did have the chance.

Heaven has gained a new bright shining star tonight, but we've lost a part of our hearts.

Love you Granny and will miss you forever.