A Globe As A Gift - Making A World of Difference

I found out this week that my grandmother on my mom's side has about 1 - 3 months to live. She has been diagnosed with breast cancer and it spread to her whole body. I found out about my grandmother's illness b/c of a Christmas gift she sent to me. She sent it to my parents address b/c she did not have my address. While my father was telling me about the gift, etc..he mentioned my grandmother's illness.

But first let me fill you in on some history...

I am not close to my grandmother at all. It is not that I do not like her or miss her. I guess the reason for my lack of connection is my lack of communication. I have not spoken to her since my teenage years. She is estranged from my mother and they have not spoken in a long time either.

In fact, even though my mother knows her mom is about to pass on, she refuses to call her mother. I honestly do not know all of the history that brought about the split between my mother and my grandmother, but I am saddened that it has come to this.

So anyway, my grandmother sent me a globe - not just any globe - it is a globe where each country is a unique precious gemstone and the base is 14k gold plated. Its a very nice globe and I was absolutely shocked to have received it considering that I have not spoken to my grandmother in so long.

But it made a world of difference in how I view my grandmother. I was touched that she thought of me - it should not shock me - I mean don't most grandmothers think of their grandchildren and wonder how they are doing?

I think of my grandmother every now and then and I wonder how she is doing. She is the last one of my grandparents that is still alive. I will be sad when she passes on because she is family - and when it comes down to it, I love my family - every member...whether I see them or not. They are my blood and I am connected to them in a way that I can never be to everyone else.

So this globe will be special - it will be the last thing I receive from her most likely - I will think of her every time I look upon it...

But I can say this - when my parents pass on I will be there if I can - and I will leave nothing unspoken. Estrangement has no place in my life or in my family.