So much has happened to me this year. We’re not even halfway through and already I feel as though i’m ready for the New Year.

I’m still reeling in the shock of the loss of my grandma. Husb, the kids and I are going to visit my aunt up north for Easter. We’re looking forward to the trip so as to be able to keep her company for the holiday, but the emptiness of my grandma will envelope me like a cold uncomfortable blanket.

I think back to eight years prior when I lost my grandpa to cancer. He was diagnosed with lung cancer but I still wonder if he had something like Mesothelioma. He worked around asbestos for many years before they knew it was truly harmful.

When he was given three months to live, we were in shock but we all knew what was coming. In retrospect I don’t think anyone is ever truly prepared to lose someone they love. For me, these were two relationships that I had for all of my childhood and into my 20s. To lose these relationships have been rather hard on me. Especially since my grandparents gave me so much personally (meaning non-materialistic).

In a way, I turned over a new leaf after the loss of my grandma. She was a fighter and one to get things done. I have followed in her footsteps. I am now a resident pit bull with a soft side.