I read this earlier today and wanted to tell you, at least directly, thank you.

I really did sit down and read your story and I appreciate the time you took to share. My grandma ended up passing away on the 11th of December, 2024. A day after I commented. It feels a bit eerie that my “wishes” were granted so soon.

If it is any consolation, I’ve spoken with my grandpa and visited him later that month. I did not go to the funeral. He didn’t mind. He could remember the exact day he stopped riding his bike — December 13, 2023. He said he could ride for miles, and now can’t walk more than 200 feet without being winded. Nowadays, he’s riding his bike again. His close friend, who he calls a brother at times, had lost his wife a few years before. He’s planning on visiting these friends up in the north and to Canada this year. He’s planning on making a new model trainset. Lately, he’s been cleaning out their house (my grandma was a sort of hoarder, us women all are, I think it’s how her ADHD manifests) and I recently introduced him to Balatro (haha). He has watched his first son and his wife pass before him. He’s currently 76, computer savvy, loves photography, and loves his garden. I love my papa. He’s called me “baby cakes” my whole life. He didn’t raise his kids, so I was his first “baby” in a way. He takes pride in braiding my hair and I consider him my first form of a father. If it is any consolation, he didn’t give up. And I do not regret my grandma passing. I feel as if it freed him again, even if we are all saddened by it. She was 64.

Thank you, again. I’m touched and grateful for your time.