It was 1980, and I had traveled from Toronto to Vancouver for my sister’s wedding. My husband at the time had wanted to come with me. I’d already left him once, but in my heart I knew we wouldn’t be together when August rolled around. I could hear my mom rustling around in the kitchen, while my grandmother and I sat alone at the dining room table. She reached across the table, touched my hand, and whispered, “Pamela Lee, are you happy?” I smiled and said, “Yes, Grandma, I am.” "That’s all that matters.” Her response has carried me through many moments, reminding me that my choices are mine to make, and she smiled proudly, knowing I made the best decisions for my happiness. My happiness is all she cared about. Not the details. Not why I left him. Only was I happy? Years later, as I was in that space between falling asleep, she came to me. Again, she used my full proper name, “Pamela Lee.” I shot up in bed. “Grandma, what is it?” “I came to say goodbye. To let you know I am happy, and all I ask of you is to be happy.” The next morning my Dad called and said, “I have news.” “Yes, I know. Grandma died last night.” Curious, my Dad asked, “Who called you?” “No one. Grandma came to say goodbye.” "Impossible," he said. He didn’t believe me for years, but that’s okay. My Grandmother knew I would receive her presence. This spring I’ll be gathering stories like this one into Wisdom from Our Grandmothers, a collection of two-page stories from our community, each one lovingly edited and in print in time for Mother’s Day. My grandmother asked me one question in 1980, and I’ve been answering it ever since. What question did yours leave with you? 💜