Death

On March 14, 2016, my 92 year old paternal grandfather passed away suddenly. OK, he was 92, so it wasn't exactly suddenly, but he fell down some stairs and cracked open his head, so it was sudden in the fact that it wasn't a long, lingering illness.

My paternal grandmother (Gwen) is 95 years old today. For sometime prior and after my grandfather's death, we discussed what was going to happen. Everyone was pretty sure, that since these two had been married over 70 years that when one died, the other would follow shortly after, die of shock or loneliness or what have you. Well, my grandmother is doing wonderfully and we're no longer concerned that she's going to pass any time soon. I mean, she's 95, so any time, but she's in good health and spirits.

Now as much as Austin & I tease about murdering each other, in fact, we frequently argue about who's going to die first, because neither of us wants to live without the other. Our current agreement, I'm dying first and Austin is going to die of a broken heart three weeks later. Because I'm in charge and I say so.

Me, my mother and Austin discussing my grandparents.

Mom: Your grandmother was the one who took care of everything. She's a battleax. She could stand anything. Your grandfather, he always let her lead, let her be in charge, just let her go and do. If Gwen had died first, your grandfather would have been lost. He wouldn't have known what to do, so he probably would have died shortly after. But since it's your grandmother, she's fine.

Me, to Austin: See, Austin? I have to die first. I would struggle along without you if you went first. If I go, the shock will kill you.