A Heavy Heart and A Smirk On My Face

Thank you so much to everyone who has left kind words and lighted their candles. It means so much. I have lived ten lifetimes since I posted Friday night.

The more we pondered the situation and the answers my uncle had given us, the less sense the story made. How can one be cremated less than 24 hours after death? The logistics were not adding up. What about the death certificate? And the paperwork? There is always paperwork.

I started digging Friday evening. Digging and making phone calls. We had begun to question several aspects of the story.

I cold called until I found the right hospital. Oh yes I did.

At least that part of the story was true. My grandmother did go to the hospital. I got the names of all the nurses and staff so I can send them a thank you card for taking care of my Gramma in her final moments. I learned Saturday that no one from the family was there when she died. My uncle didn't show up until after she was dead. He came to sign the paperwork and left. I can't tell you how that pains me.

I dug around* until I found out the name of the mortuary to which she had been sent. I called. It was midnight my time, and I called thinking I would leave a message. The funeral director answered.

I don't have the strength to go into the actual conversation. The good news? She has not yet been cremated. My uncle? Had conveniently neglected to mention he had any siblings. By law, my father must sign off on the paperwork.

My uncle had convinced my dad not to fly out until Thursday. Once he heard my news, he changed his flight to Monday.

My uncle is pissed. I, on the other hand, have gone to bed each night with a heavy heart and a smirk on my face. We may never sort out all of his nefarious activities, but I sure as shit caught him on this one. Gotcha. Motherfucker.

As it stands, my mother, father and I are all flying to Salt Lake City tomorrow to take care of business. By law, my father has to identify his mother's body. This means Tuesday, for 10 minutes, we get to pay our respects. That's all we get, but I'll take it. I am going to support my father. I am going out of respect for my grandmother. I am going to apologize to the funeral director for disturbing his house in the middle of the night. I am going to miss her so much.

*Details are omitted to protect the innocent and helpful