Dear Diary,

Grandpa's younger sister Mary Lois has passed away. She has been fighting cancer for a few years. Grandpa is taking this very hard, as I knew he would. He texted us today to let us know. I waited an hour and called him. He was crying. I cried to hear him crying. He told me about how he always took care of her when they were children: "My family would say, 'Where's Mary Lois?' And they would respond, 'Wherever Joe is.'"

I can't believe he got out as much to me as he did in between tears. Normally Grandpa doesn't like to show his deeper feelings, especially over the phone. I'm grateful. He needs a safe place to do that.

Mary Lois was always a part of our holiday celebrations. This is going to be a very hard month (and year) for him. Perhaps even harder than Marion's death, but I'm not sure. He must feel very alone now.

I am not certain Mary Lois was saved, but I sure hope she was. I know the hope of heaven is all Grandpa has to go on in these times.

I offered for him to come down to our house and be distracted by the kids and said I could also just listen. He said all he wanted was a big hug next week at Thanksgiving from me, and the boys if he could get one.

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