Great Grandma Elaine

We spent the last 24 hours celebrating the life of a wonderful woman. My step dad's mother went to heaven earlier this week. She has been sick for quite a few months battling leukemia that she has dealt with for many many years. Her body just didn't want to let go and therefore she struggled for the last few weeks.

Elaine is only third family member that we have lost since having children, and it's the first time that one of them has been old enough to understand. And it made it much harder. I started out by trying not to use the word 'dead' or 'died' but when saying she passed away, Rowan was asking where she moved and wasn't really getting it. But once I said she died, it all made sense. And several times she came out and said how sad it was that she was gone and not coming back. And expressed her sorrow for Great Grandpa Ron. She had such sweet sad words that would bring back tears just when I thought there were no more.

The kids did very well, and we were glad to have them present to remember Elaine. But it makes me sad for the future and other losses knowing that she really gets it. It is obviously a fact of life that we can't change and no one looks forward to dealing with. But dealing with it with kids makes it on a totally different level.

Rest in Peace Elaine. We will never forget you.