the news

they told me the news,
     not so long ago.
the news about how you left
     quietly and unexpectedly.

i won't pretend that it was
     easy news.
no, it was shocking, heartbreaking, sad,
     and ruined my day.

i sobbed, unsure of what to do
     with this news.
but there is a time to mourn and grieve,
     which then gives way to remembrances.

the memory of summer beach trips
     and shopping mall excursions,
sleepovers, playing beauty shop,
     and eating our way through entire cities.

the memories make the news
     a little easier to digest.
but i do still wish
     we had time to say goodbye.

Will forever miss you, my Gram!