Where were you when my grandma died?
I was straightening my hair,
Pretending I was coughing
Hoping my mom would hear
And call me out of school.
It was cold and rainy
I took my time getting ready
I took several breaks and just sat there.
I had no reason I didn’t want to go to school
I just didn’t want to go
There were no tests that day
I even did all my homework.
Spending the day in bed home alone
Seemed like a better day though.

It was 6:40 and the phone rang.
No one ever calls that early
I ran into the hall to look at the caller id
Emeritus Nursing Home.
I ran down the stairs.
Thoughts ran wild in my head.
My heart thumped like crazy.
Tears rushed to my eyes.
I knew things weren’t well
But we just hired a full time nurse
Someone was with her 24/7
Last night was her first night
Maybe she was calling to say everything went well. This couldn’t be happening.
I walked into the kitchen
My mom was just picking up the phone
Her voice was shaky
Tears began to roll down her face
I ran back up the stairs
My face went straight into my pillow
Today I was not going to school.

I felt the warmth of my moms hand
“Do you want to go with us”
My words were all jumbled up
Yes was stuck in my throat.
I stood up without saying anything
I sluggishly got into the car
There was no words, no music, Nothing.
We pulled into the parking lot
The car turned off
I felt glued to my seat.
I wanted to say goodbye but,
I wasn’t ready to see her gone.
It seemed like years passed
before I opened my door
I walked inside and down the hall room 144
One deep breath and I walked in
There she was.
Mouth wide open
eyes gently closed.
“It was peacefully in her sleep”
Somehow that helped me.
I sat down on her couch.

Where were you when my Gramma died?
I was complaining that I had to go to school.
I was pretending I was sick
My Gramma actually was though.
She was the heart of our family.
And she could fix everyone problems
And I loved her, I still love her.
And She was my hero.
And now she is gone.