Sometimes life passes before your eyes in one blink. One second your eyes are open and then they are closed. No one understands why these things happen the way they do, or how it is possible that you can go from a having the best day, to the worst.
The date was June 10,2011. I looked down at my phone in Miss Donahue’s class to see that my mother had texted me during school saying my great grandmother had to be put in a convalescent home because she collapsed in her little, empty apartment.

I waited home alone for 4 hours until my dad finally returned from work. My mom hasn’t been home since 1:45 and it was now 5:45. I could only think of the worst and believe that my loving great grandmother had left this world at 91 years of age, and my mom was not ready nor willing to break the news to me.

After my beliefs and devastation went on for another hour, my mom had finally called from the hospital to explain what had happened.

“We had to move her from room to room because the dumb nurses mixed up what rooms were vacant and which were not, everything is ok though. I will be home soon.” It wasn't until that moment after the phone call ended where i realized that my world could have just been turned upside down in a matter of one short phone call and few words.

My mom soon returned home and she looked like a ghost that had not had any sleep in a week. By the look on my face she knew that she would finally have to explain what was happening.

“She’s not doing very well anymore. She has congestive heart failure, and had to be hooked up oxygen to assist her breathing, she will be alright.” To me that seemed like a huge relief because I knew I would be able to see her again. She was going to be ok, at least that's what my parents told me.
June 11, 2011. I woke up to my parents talking loudly downstairs to someone. I glanced at the clock and it was 6:00 a.m. I rolled out of bed and trudged down the stairs and came around the corner to see my grandma and my aunt sitting in my kitchen with my parents with puzzled yet worried looks upon their faces.
“ Good morning” said everyone. “I am not going there,” “neither am I” said my aunt and grandmother, “Well I am and maybe she will eat something” said my mother.
By 8 o’clock everyone had left and I went back to bed.
I awoke again at 10:00 and my mom told me that we had to go clean out my great grandmothers old apartment because she wasn’t able enough to return there. We spent half the day taking her items out and distributing them throughout the whole family, and I could tell my grandmother didn't enjoy the whole process of letting go of some of the items she had grown up with her whole life.
My family was to in distress and tired to commute to the convalescent home so my mom and I stopped at Burger King and picked up a burger for my great grandmother. “Why are we getting her a burger?” I asked my mom, “because she hasn't been eating the food at the convalescent home and she refuses to take her medication, so she needs some nourishment, and it’s her birthday!” she snapped. “I’m sorry, this has just been stressful.” I understood, she grew up with my great grandmother her whole life and now things weren’t looking so bright for us.
We arrived at the convalescent home and the stench of cinnamon and latex raced to my nose and a heard a faint “hello” come from a desk in the corner of the room. A nurse appeared from under the desk, and directed us to her room. We walked through the door and I saw my great grandmother for the first time in about 2 months. She didn't look that much different, she was just skinnier and looked less happier than usual in the dark green room she was staying in.
When her eyes moved from the t.v. and fixated on us, a huge grin appeared on her face and she squeaked a “Hello darling.” I made my way over to her bed and climbed up and gave her small body the tightest hug I could. When my mom finally pried my arms out from under her, she slid the warm burger into her cold pale hands and without hesitation she quickly unwrapped it and savored every bite she took all the way to the last one.
We remained in her room for two more hours and we watched t.v. and talked. But sadly enough, we had to leave her because it was time for her to take her medication and if she refused my mother didn't want me to witness the struggle it would have to be to put the needle into her arm to make her calm down.
June 12, 2011 started with a 5:30 wake up call from my grandmother saying my great grandmother’s heart stopped pumping, but the doctors thankfully got her blood flowing again. My grandma, aunt and my mom all rushed right out of the door to see how she was now.
I didn’t hear from my mom until 12:00 that afternoon, and the only words I heard was, “It’s ok.” But it wasn't ok. I didn't know what to think anymore. My mom hasn't been home since 5:45 this morning and the only information I heard from her was “It’s ok.” Was this like before, except this time was it true?
My doubts suddenly came true and hit me like a rock. My mom came home wincing through the door with her eyes wet and bloodshot. Then I knew. The words wouldn't come out of her mouth and they didn't have to. At 92 my strong, fighting great grandmother had passed away leaving my family left only to grieve and wonder what we were gonna do without her. Nothing made sense to me anymore. I just saw her yesterday and she was perfect, what went wrong? How could thing just end that fast? These were the most heart- wrenching three days I have ever experienced in my life, and the rest of my days are now going to be spent without the most amazing person that was in my family forever.