I tend to keep family matters out of my writing, but last week my grandfather passed away. My dad was heartbroken. He was heartbroken to the point where it made him question his faith. My father was raised in a strict Catholic household. It was so important to him when I was born, he brought me up in the church as well.

My grandfather suffered a lot before he died. My grandpa suffered from Parkinson’s and dementia. His sickness meant that it was hard for him to leave the rest home, and it broke my heart that I was unable to spend time with him during the last couple of years of his life.

My dad and my aunt, Diane, provided a great deal of love and stability for both of my grandparents after things went downhill. My family has been keeping my grandma company throughout this difficult time. My family may not always get along, but when times are hard, we help hold each other up.

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My grandma had misplaced the first ring that my grandpa had ever given her. She has carried this ring for a very long time. This ring has not left her sight for over 55 years. As women often do, she took off her ring to keep it safe, perhaps when she was doing housework or taking a bath. My grandma’s cherished ring vanished. As you can imagine she was heartbroken!

My family got together and searched the house high and low for the keepsake. The search lasted almost a year, but ultimately proved fruitless.

Shortly after my grandfather’s death, my aunt was over at my grandma’s house, helping her to clean and get ready for the arrival of family and friends. As if by magic, my grandma’s ring appeared in the middle of the freshly vacuumed floor.

My family believes this was a gift from my grandpa to his wife. My father once again believes in Heaven.

God bless, my readers. Love never dies!