r/grief • u/SubstantialNobody__ • 5h ago
I feel like she made me who I am
I found out that my grandmother, my Mimi, passed away at 5:23 today. It was peaceful, from what I’ve been told. When I was first told about it today by my mom, it’s like I knew it happened but… I just kept going on with my day. Like it didn’t register? Then tonight as I’m winding down at 11:30 or so it hit me all at once. I’ve been crying the last few hours.
She was a wonderful woman who had been through so much in her life. She dealt with hardships I’ve been lucky enough to never have experienced. She was abused as a young girl and even when I knew her the experiences she had would show through. Then, when my parents divorced and I was so young, she and my grandfather took all five of us, my siblings and I in. along with my mother of course. We lived with her for years.. most of my childhood that I remember was with her at her house. The banana tree (that’s what I called it), mandarins orange cake every birthday, thanksgiving and Christmas being such a big celebration thanks to her. My childhood that i remember is at her home.
She took me in when my mom moved away my senior year. I know I drove her crazy while I was living with her… I’m disorganized, all over the place, struggling just in general with the feeling of abandonment, depression issues, all that. I learned so many healthy coping mechanisms while I was living with her. Skills that to this day help me feel better day to day.
I’m not religious, but part of me hopes that whatever exists out there… she’s with her son who left this world too soon, her fiends and her family that have moved past this life. Really, i just hope she is at peace more than anything. I’m struggling with this feeling. I haven’t felt this feeling of death since i was a kid… this is the first time in my adult life, which I know is a privilege.. I just don’t understand my own reaction. Initially it’s like I just compartmentalized and pushed it back. I didn’t acknowledge it and I feel so guilty for that. Like I could put it away? Such a huge event.. Then all of the sudden I’ve been sobbing the last two hours, thinking of all the times I can with her.
Just a rant because I truly don’t know where else I can talk about this. I’m mad at myself and confused… and just so sad.