Six years ago this weekend - I was 35 years old. My kids were 11, 9, 7 and 5.

My children filed into her bedroom. Their great-grandmother. My grandmother.

They climbed up on her bed with her.

She talked with them about their summer plans.

Summer camps.

Vacation.

Swimming.

Crabbing.

She asked them about their upcoming wrestling schedule.

She talked about going to play Bingo at the hall together and "pending" the night with her.

I listened in the doorway.

Until I couldn't listen anymore.

She hugged and kissed each one of them.

They told her how much they loved her.

She told them how much she loved them.

Before they left she said, "Be good for Mommy. She's so good to you."

Then I drove them home.

They asked alot of questions...

"Is she still sick?"

"When will she be better?"

"When can we go see her again?"

After I dropped them off with my husband at home, I returned to her house again.

When it was time for me to go - there were awful thunderstorms.

So I stayed.

I spent the night there at her house.

Just like every summer growing up.

I hadn't slept over since I'd married and had the kids.

Though she asked me to.

Several times.

"Why don't you come "pend" the night? We'll go play Bingo."

My answer was always the same.

"One day we are going to do that. I'm going to come and spend the night just like the good old days."

I laid there next to my mother.

Listening to the thunder.

The pouring rain.

The chime of my grandmother's clock in the dining room.

My head ached.

From the storm.

From my tears.

From dehydration.

From my upset stomach.

Mom and I laid there whispering in the dark.

I don't remember what we discussed.

I remember that it was incredibly hot.

The air conditioner was broken.

The clock continued to chime.

Hours passed.

I could not believe it was going to happen like this.

During the summer.

This would trump every grand memory I had of summer vacations at her house.

But it did happen.

On a hot July night.

I thought of all of those past July nights spent in that house.

Playing cards.

Watching movies.

Telling stories.

Picking crabs.

Listening to music.

Listening to the chime of the clock in the dining room.

Late into the night.

All of those years.

The clock counting down the time.

Then I heard her call.

So I went.

We all went.

It was time to say goodbye.

The clock was stopped.

The chime silent.

That clock now lives in my living room.

It has for 6 years now.

It chimes and passes the hours.

Reminding me how long it has been since I have seen her.

The other day the kids and I were driving in the direction of her home--

We hadn't been down that way in quite some time.

I said, "This week will be 6 years that she has been gone."

They replied.

"I miss her."

"She was funny."

"I never got to spend the night."

Then Son #2 began to tell a story...

"I went to play Bingo with her at the hall. She fussed at me for not paying attention and missing the numbers. She took my cards from me and marked them right.

Then she said, "Hey, do you want a hot dog?"

And I said, "Sure."

Then she said, "Here's some money. Get me one too."

"Then we ate hot dogs. She patted my knee and smiled at me. I think she had a good time that night. I think she liked that I was there."

We all sat quietly for a little while.

I think we were all thinking about her...

Yesterday I noticed that her clock in my living room had stopped.

Normally, I would pull the chain and start it again.

But I think I'll just let it be silent for a bit.

God, I miss her.

I wish she could see my kids now.

She'd adore them.

What I'd give to have a hot dog at the Bingo Hall with her again.

How fun would it be for us to all go together?

She and I and my kids...

On second thought - maybe I will go wind that clock again...

The soundtrack for this scene?

One More Day With You - (Click to Listen)

Sung by: Diamond Rio

"Last night I had a crazy dream
A wish was granted just for me,
It could be for anything
I didn't ask for money
Or a mansion in Malibu
I simply wished, for one more day with you.

One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again
I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you

First thing I'd do, is pray for time to crawl
Then I'd unplug the telephone
And keep the tv off
I'd hold you every second
Say a million I love you's
That's what I'd do. With one more day with you

One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again
I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you

Leave me wishing still for one more day
Leave me wishing still for one more day

With you..."