Who can possibly understand the set of circumstances that brings us here today? A grandmother and grandson taken from our family within hours of each other seems almost impossible to imagine, let alone comprehend.

On one hand, our grandmother had lived a long and, for the most part, fruitful life. Beyond some of the difficulties she endured she certainly had a large and loving family, three daughters, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren upon her passing. For her the family was everything. A living breathing testament to her will and way. And she was never better than with that group around her. All the kids, grand kids and great-grand kids scurrying about, chaos and confusion due to the sheer numbers of people and she would not have it any other way. During those chaotic gatherings she was at her best, most fulfilled and happy self.

On the other hand the grandson. Our Greg was certainly a different soul. The kind of man we would say would march to the beat of a different drum. Intelligent and thoughtful, troubled and naive, an unrealized potential we may never fully understand. The world was a challenge probably beyond Greg, at least more of a challenge than he wished. The natural tedium of daily life disturbed him greatly and he could not simply let it go. his was a private world where tedium and chaos were not welcome. A world where he could create at his own pace to his own standards, the world outside be damned. he was at his best in the quiet and solitary place only he truly understood.

How to reconcile that these two diverse personalities were not just related, but that without one there would never have been the other. And how do we reconcile that they chose to leave us so closely together. I'm sure we will ever fully understand this. however, being human we always look for a way to explain, away to understand.

Maybe there is no explanation. Maybe this is all just happenstance. Then again, maybe there is some link which will be revealed to us all when we pass on. Some deeply rooted mystery we can only see in the hereafter, Maybe then we will know.

For now we must say our goodbye to Adeline and Greg. She passing after a long and fulfilling lifetime and he, leaving us far too soon. For now there will be no explanation as to the whys and whens. We must all learn to accept what is and each of us find our way to carry on.

One thing on which I'm sure we can agree, grandmother and grandson are together again.

She would always take care of her own, and he did love her dearly.