Sunday night, at around 2000 CDT, I arrived at grandpa's condo. It began with the customary welcome greetings. Mom and bouncing were there as well. Much like on many previous occassions, grandpa commented, "My goodness, you have grown taller than you used to be. Or maybe I have gotten smaller."

Looking around at the condo he and grandma lived in since before I was born, everything did appear smaller. Much of the same furniture was still there; the same pictures on the wall; the same chairs I had sat in as a child. But much tinier; to my eyes, at least.

A few moments of pleasant small talk, and grandpa got serious. "You know your grandmother died last night, right?"

I replied that yes, I knew. Mom had told me on the phone. I listened while grandpa elaborated.

The two of them had been married for 60 years; the overwhelming bulk of his life. There was no way I could really comprehend what he was going through, so I did not try. I just listened as he spoke.

In a way, it had been a good thing that she went when she did. Had she lived longer, the alzheimers would have only gotten worse. Grandpa said she had not yet reached the final stages of the disease. If those moments had arrived, it would have meant nothing but misery for her and everyone around her.

She died peacefully late Saturday night. Just before midnight on May 29, 2004. The rest of the family -- grandpa, mom, and bouncing, who had arrived just before her death -- had been up most of the night as the morticians came and carried her away. As such, they were quite exhausted.

Beyond the commotion oon the night of her death, grandpa, mom (during her visits), and the caretakers had been kept constantly busy during the days, weeks, and months leading up to the death. She needed someone to watch her day and night. Otherwise, she could become confused, fall on the floor, or suffer other mishaps.

We talked for a little while longer before grandpa needed to go to bed. He told bouncing and I that he had rented us a hotel room across the street so we could sleep in a real bed after our long trips. Though I don't at all mind sleeping on the floor or couch, there was no point in protesting. He had already rented the room, and handed us the keys. We thanked him for the generosity, and went across the street. There, I read for a little while and wrote about the trip before going to sleep.

Monday, bouncing and I woke up and ate breakfast in the hotel lobby.