On Christmas day 2006 I got a phone call that sunk my heart. It was my mother informing me that my Grandmother had passed away early that morning in her Henderson Nevada home. I was living at the time in Southern California, only about 2 1/2 hours away from her. My wife and I went about our Christmas morning rituals of breakfast, then presents. After all the presents where opened we left the kids with my mother-in-law and headed for Nevada.
The mood was very somber at my grandmothers home. Everyone tried to be up-beat, telling stories etc... But we were all very down. The whole day I had this strong feeling that I needed to see her one last time. The feeling was so strong that I couldn't let it go. She was going to be cremated the next day. My grandfather had made it very clear that he wanted no one to "bother her", as he put it, so I had my mother arrange a special viewing just for me before she was cremated.
I got to the funeral home at about 4pm on Dec. 26, and was greeted by a very nice man who led me to a small chapel on the property. Inside was totally empty except for my Grandmothers body lying on stretcher at the foot of the pulpit. I know this whole deal may sound strange to some, but, if you have ever lost some one you loved (by the way, my Grandmother and I were extremely close) then you can understand that you need some form of closer, and for me I felt I needed to see her one last time.
The man led me to the end of the pews and respectfully put his head down and crossed his arms. I felt like I floated the rest of the way to her, almost like it was a dream and none of this was real. I remember shedding a few tears and kissing her forehead, when, as clear as day I heard my name being called from behind me. I turned to look over my right shoulder, and there was my Grandmother, sitting on the first pew smiling at me. I was so shocked that I couldn't speak. I remember looking over at the gentleman who had brought me there, hoping that he was seeing the same thing I was, but he was still looking at the floor with his hands crossed respectfully. I remember looking back at her and she was still there. A sudden feeling of love and warmth overtook me and tears streamed down my face. I knew she was in a better place and that she would be watching over me. After what seemed like a very long time she was suddenly gone. I told the gentleman thank you and left.
To this day I'm not really sure if it was all just a figment of my imagination or she really was there with me. I like to believe that she was.
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