08/24/2025
During My Grandma’s Farewell, I Saw My Mom Place Something Beside Her — What I Later Found Left Me Speechless
My grandmother Catherine wasn’t just family — she was my anchor, my safe place, my best friend. Her hugs had always felt like home. Standing there that afternoon, I felt as though the world had suddenly grown quieter without her.
The hall was calm, the lighting soft, shadows falling gently across Grandma’s peaceful face. Her silver hair was styled just the way she always liked it, and she wore her beloved pearl necklace.
I reached out, running my fingers along the polished wood, while memories filled my mind. Just last month we were in her kitchen, laughing over cups of tea, as she patiently showed me how much cinnamon to add to her sugar cookies.
“Emerald, sweetheart, she’s watching over you now,” said Mrs. Anderson, our next-door neighbor, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. Her eyes were red behind her glasses. “Your grandmother was so proud of you. She told everyone.”
I managed a small smile. “Do you remember her apple pies? The whole street would smell them every Sunday.”
“Oh, those pies,” Mrs. Anderson chuckled softly. “She always said you helped. She’d brag, ‘Emerald has just the right touch with cinnamon.’”
I swallowed hard. “I tried baking one last week. It wasn’t the same. I reached for the phone to ask her what I’d done wrong, and then…” My voice trailed off.
Mrs. Anderson wrapped me in a warm hug. “She knew how much you loved her, darling. That’s what matters most.”
The room filled with gentle voices, people sharing memories of her kindness. And then, across the room, I noticed my mother.
My mom, Victoria, hadn’t shown much emotion all day. She stood quietly, scrolling on her phone as though nothing unusual was happening.
But then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught her moving closer. She paused, looked around, and placed something small beside Grandma before stepping back. Her heels clicked softly as she walked away.
“Did you see that?” I whispered.
“See what, dear?” Mrs. An
