When my grandpa passed away earlier this year, I gave my mom and her sisters each a photograph of the four of them with him at my wedding. I said, “This is who grandpa is to me. This is how I really know him, through each of you.” As one of the youngest grandchildren, of the youngest daughter, my relationship with Gram has felt very short compared to all of my cousins and aunts.

But these last few weeks that I’ve spent with Gram and our family here in Syracuse have given me a gift. First was being able to communicate with Gram how much she means to us and give her hope in her last days that she is and always will be needed and loved. Second was supporting my mom and her sisters in this difficult time, bearing witness to some very hard human lessons in life. Third and last was seeing each and every one of you gather together and know that even though Gram has scattered quite literally, her spirit is also scattered with just as much blessing, into each of us.

Though we may feel lonely and lost, I think we all understand that when we come together, as her family and friends, there she is again. So I hope, as we return to our respective homes, we remember in our sadness how to find Gram again. With each other.