My Grandma passed away very peacefully this morning.

This has been a learning experience for me as I’ve been able, for the first time, to put my own life in perspective. And, in a way I never expected, I’ve learned about impermanence, interconnectedness and how important love and compassion is in the human experience.

While I feel some sadness, it is overshadowed by the stillness and relief that I feel because, at least temporarily, Grandma has freed herself of the suffering she saw at the end of her life, not to mention all of the difficulties she faced in her life as she dealt with alcoholism.

She was an incredible woman, a one-of-a-kind, and I’m going to miss her.