Yesterday was my grandfather’s funeral. It was an extremely emotional day for my family and me but it was also a good one because we know it was exactly what my grandfather would have wanted. We had a small graveside ceremony with just his close family and friends. Of course, there were many who couldn’t be there because of timing or distance who were sorely missed.

Last Saturday at this time I was thinking about how on earth my grandparents were going to get through the situation they were in and here I am today talking about my grandfather’s funeral. It fricken blows my mind how much life can change in such a short amount of time. It is eerie in a way.

My grandfather’s passing has taught me many things. I am not really ready to think about most of them just yet but there is one thing that really stands out from yesterday and that is how important it is to truly need people in your life.

We all need to have people in our lives with whom we feel a connection. We all need people in our lives that really understand and get us. We all need people in our lives that we can let our guard down with. We just…need people.

After the ceremony, I was standing by the graveside yesterday about to make my way to the other side when one of my family’s closest friend’s Mitch Borger,came over and put his arm around me. I leaned my head in and allowed my head to fall and cried. And we just stood there like that for a couple minutes. Even through the fog of the day (/week) and the tears that were running down my cheek, I did realize for the first time how necessary it is to go through life with loved ones by your side.

“Boundaries don’t keep other people out. They fence you in. Life is messy. That’s how we’re made.”- Meredith Grey