Dear Friends - particularly those who have come to love Grandma or as I call her Bachan or Obaachan (in japanese) - less formal, the way a child might address their grandmother (over the more formal Obaasan) ... I don't say "my" or "mine" now because in a way, she became all of our grandmothers.... Mutsuko Ukegawa Iwatate left for the spirit world August 31st, 2019 at 6:07pm. She didn't seem to have any pain and went so quietly, we weren't even sure she had left. She waited until my mother got there (Mom lives out of state and just had major back surgery getting cleared for travel just 2 days prior) - 20 minutes after my mother came in - she let go. Her three daughters, were in the room along with me, my uncle and John. I whispered to her, I love you Bachan forever. We will never forget you. You can go. We will be okay. After she went, I helped to wash her then my auntie and I put on her favorite robe. Later, I would lie next to her holding her hand until a caring young man from the mortuary came for her. He had lost his grandma 3months prior. He let John and I help wrap her with a beautiful white fabric and then covered her with a dignity cloth. Staff trickled in to pay their last respects and to offer their care and condolences. One of the Nursing Assistants came and leaned towards her and just cried. She used to come and do wordsearch with grandma and then hold hands. It was all so sweet really. So many moments of kindness this week. I am grateful. And, also, I am so sad. I miss her. Forever. She was and will always be, my greatest teacher. I am grateful for all the time we had; the beautiful memories; grateful she went peacefully and without pain. Thank you for all of your kind words; thank you for loving Bachan. Thank you from my heart ❤️