Grumpus

We were almost to the soccer game when my cell rang. I assumed Mom was calling to chat, but when I picked up, I could feel the news before she finished sobbing it out.

"Grumpus is dying."

Mom is sometimes a little dramatic, but I knew this was serious. He'd had major heart surgery recently, and he's 84. She gave me the details and said she'd be flying out in the morning.

When we arrived at the soccer field, my sister in law came over to say hi. As happens a few times a season, Darling Niece was playing on the field next to ours. As she got closer, she could see that I was upset and asked what was up. I explained quickly, and her immediate response - before I said anything - was, "You need to go."

I protested, saying I didn't see how I could, what with the kids and all. She told me that she would take care of it. Whatever we needed, no problem. She is such a blessing in our lives. Sweetie concurred, and told her he'd call her with arrangements.

My cousin, the photographer, had come to take pictures at the game. She's the closest thing I've got to a sister, and is also very close to our grandparents. When she got there, I gave her the news, and asked if she could take time off work to go with me. Tearfully, she nodded. Her mother is there with my grandparents now, helping out after the surgery. It sounds like it will be a reunion of sorts.

On the way home, I call Mom, half expecting her to protest. But when I tell her that we'll be flying out the next day, she just says, "Thank you."

So I've made travel arrangements. I've talked to sister in law and my dear friend S. - between them, they have the kids covered. I have this complex booklet for Sweetie that has all the relevant phone numbers, all the details of where he needs to take the kids and when, and all the minutiae of their routine. I am packed and ready to go.

And I'm scared.