My Gran (maternal grandmother) passed away on Sunday night. It wasn't unexpected so it wasn't a shock. She was 92; her mum was 92 when she passed away as well; weird co-incidence.

It has been a hard year for Gran; she fell at home about a year ago, broke her hip and was not allowed to return home (for medical reasons - frailty, nearly blind and suffering dimensia). This was after sucessfully (I thought) being treated for cancer of the tongue.

She didn't like it, and we could all understand that, but she really couldn't look after herself by herself anymore, so it was necessary. It's been difficult for my mum and aunt who have been looking after her affairs. Gran knew how to be a difficult woman.

I think I feel mostly relief - for Gran her time of frustration, angst, being in a place she didn't want to be and ill health are all over; for my mum and aunt a very stressful time is over.

Whilst I don't believe anything much happens to us after we die I think where ever Gran is now is a better place for her than where she has recently been.

The fact that I now have no grandparents doesn't seem to have impacted on me; maybe because we haven't beenclosely involved for quite a while. Maybe it will hit me on Friday when we say our final farewell.