Baba

Baba, my step-moms grandma, past away March 12, 2003. Emily is my step-mom, and Baba was her dads mom. Baba had no symptoms, perfectly normal. Ems dad, Dan, and Pia, his wife at the time, were going on a vacation and asked Baba if she needed anything because she couldn't drive. Baba said yes and told them what she wanted. They went to the store and early morning Dan called, she didn't answer. He decided to drive over and drop the stuff off at her doorstep. A few hours later, about 9ish, he called again. Still no answer. He thought it was weird, considering she cant drive, has no where to go, and never sleeps in, so he went back over. The food was still on the doorstep and he rang the doorbell. no answer. He used the hide-a-key and went inside. He found her face-down in the family room, breathing but not conscious. She wouldn't wake up so he called 911. They took her to the hospital and on his way over he called Em. He told her what happened and said, "" i don't know how bad it is, but shes breathing. I'll fill you in and call you if we need you." the whole family came down and they ran some tests, she had a brain aneurysm. A brain aneurysm is when a blood vessel bursts in the brain. on the scans of her brain everything was black. that black was blood. Baba was alive, but had no function, she was breathing off tubes. If they were to un-tube her, she would die. The family decided that was best, but they wanted all the aunts and uncles there and for everyone to say bye. They all got there that night and stood around the bed, taking turns holding her hand and saying their farewells. Em held her hand last, still holding it as they took the tubes out. She kept telling her that she loved her over and over. Baba kept breathing 30 minutes after they took the tubes out and slowly past away. They planned the funeral and sorted Baba's stuff, Em did the music and since none of the grand kids wanted to speak at the funeral, she wrote a poem. Baba was cremated and after the funeral everyone went back to Ems house and celebrated her life instead of mourning that she was gone.
Em's poem:
The comfort of her hug
the power of her praise
the gentleness in all she does
in every loving way
The smile of an angel
a laugh that fills the room
a heart as pure as gold
yet taken from us too soon
She lived for every moment
for every hug and each kiss
touching all who crossed her path
with a smile- a curl of her lips
Taken from our lives
within the blink of an eye
leaving us with lost opportunity
to smile and say goodbye
I lay awake these long nights
wishing for one more day
but knowing she's with Papa
somehow makes things OK
I truly believe my grandma
is watching us today
Baba, we will cherish all you've given us
in each in every way.