Sad News, Quiet Saturday

Yesterday afternoon I got the news that my Grandma (dad's mom) died. She was 92 and had been in poor health, so it shouldn't really have been a suprise...it always is though, you know? I feel terrible, not for her exactly, because she died peacefully and at home, which was what she wanted, but for Grandpa, who will be all alone now, for Auntie Elaine, who did such a great job of taking care of and spending time with Grandma, and for Daddy, who's lost his mom. It doesn't get any sadder than that. It is so hard to lose people. Its just awful.

I always thought that my grandparents had pretty interesting lives. Grandpa grew up in a coal mining town, worked there for a while and then realized he wanted something better for himself. He was (and still is) smart and hardworking, and he moved to Detroit and got a good job in the auto factories, where he worked until he retired. He met my Grandma in Detroit. She was a pretty Polish girl with an 8th grade education who had grown up in Hamtramck, a Polish enclave in the center of Detroit. They had three kids and bought hook, line, and sinker into the American dream. Grandma took being a house wife very seriously, because even when she got older and forgetful, her top interests were making sure that everyone was comfortable, happy, and well-fed.

I'm leaving early tomorrow morning for the funeral and getting back Wednesday night. I'm really glad I have friends (Akili and Russ) who are willing to help me get to the airport. Its not always an easy thing to get to Des Moines at strange hours in the midst of classes.

Well I'm just sitting around in my cozy little room listening to music, thinking about things, and wishing I could stay in bed all day. I have lots to do to get ready to go, but no motivation to do anything useful. I should probably go start packing. I guess at least I updated this thing. Its been a while since I actually wrote anything.