grandpa's death...a year ago

Not much really going on here on the island, except that a lot of people are out at their spring camps. What else? The weather is nice- a warm and sunny day . 11 days from now will mark the one-year anniversary of my grandfather’s death. A few days before his death, our family had flown to Waskaganish and travelled by van to Chisasibi to be with him during his last days. He kept inquiring to his brother about when we would arrive. We arrived at 8:20pm that same night and we all stayed by his bedside. During the night, a few family members stayed at his bedside, while the others settled in the homes that were open to us. Everyone gathered by his bedside the next day and stayed with him. I remember how hard it was for me to say good-bye. Fighting back the tears I asked (in Cree) “Grandpa, Do you know who I am?” He shook his head and said “ Ahhh, Noos-chim” and he met for the first time, my daughter Desiree. We sat by his bed, As I held his delicate but frail hand, I could see the years of hard work in each. Desiree began to sing softly “Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so…” Slowly everyone joined her and soon the whole room was filled with singing voices, as some of us wiped our tears. It’s amazing what divine senses children have and you can feel it though out the room. That afternoon. I went to the store to pick up food for us to eat. As Desiree and I walked back to the hospital, she said, “Mom, Is Jaban going to die while he’s asleep?” Again, I couldn’t help but fight back the tears. “Yes!” I whispered softly. During that afternoon, one of my cousins had traveled to KM-381 to pick up the rest of the family that were on their way to Chisasibi. Gathered by his bedside were his brother Abel, sister-in-law Clara, sons, daughter-in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At 8:26 pm on Apr 26,2004, he peacefully passed away.