Dear World,
Masses of black shuffled through the lobby, filing into pews as Carrie Underwood’s vocals embraced the church. Grandma rested peacefully in her final bed, cloaked in a blue suit as turquoise as the Cancun waters, as cerulean as her forever-sleeping eyes. Although no one would ever know that now that the lid was shut. Her hands delicately crossed and positioned below her chest, that’s the last memory I have of her. From behind me, I felt my mom tenderly put her hand on my shoulder. Through sobs and shallow breaths, she offered me a small velvet bag with her other hand. She didn’t have to tell me what was inside. I already knew. Grandma’s final request. That sent even more waves of sadness coursing through my body. My throat tightened and numbness enveloped my entire being. I clasped my fingers tightly around the bag, nearly feeling the warmth of Grandma’s hands around mine, and I walked, one foot in front of the other, to my seat in the front row, where my vision blurred by tears freely flowing down my face.
It wasn’t until after the service, when I snuck into the bathroom, away from the mourning crowd, that I opened the black pouch. Nestled inside, was Grandma’s wedding ring. Adorned with several diamonds, and sautered to the band, it was exactly as I remembered it. A ring sizer had been adhered to the aged silver, and I slid it onto my left hand with enough ease as though it was made for my finger. Instantly, I was overcome with the feeling of her soft, wrinkled hands in mind.The melange of her floral perfume flooded my nose. She was with me, I could instantly feel her presence. At that moment, I crumbled to the floor, holding my hands against my chest. She was gone. She was really, truly gone. But the weight of all her love and memories were held tightly against my chest, and on my finger, and I knew she could never leave me.
Sincerely,
Britt
