In March 2024, my grandmother got COVID. Her symptoms were bad, she was bedridden for weeks, and she became very weak as a result. My whole family knew that my grandmother would not fully recover from this. In June, she was still weak and bedridden, and it was suggested we visit her as we would not know how much time she had left. 

Early July, my father told my sister and I that she had chosen to proceed with medical assistance in dying (MAID) and had been approved for an advanced timeline, meaning things would move quickly. 

Two weeks later, my grandmother died with MAID, in her room, with music she loved playing, surrounded by pictures of her family and her children with her. 

I was at home when her death took place; here are my thoughts from that day: 

• Grandma’s death was unlike any other experience with death that I’ve had. Death has otherwise been tragic, surprising, and heartbreaking for me.
• My grandmother’s death was sad, and I miss her dearly but the only word I can describe for the day was, ‘mindful.’ 
• Though I wasn’t there, I got to choose how to spend my day and honour her. I did things I enjoyed, including being outside and spending time with my sister. 
• 4:30 was the time for her death. At that moment I sat outside, looking at the trees and blue sky. I put on her favourite song and ate a cupcake. I cried, I said cheers, the sun beamed down, animals scurried around, and I felt like she was going with the earth.  
• I felt like my other family members who passed before her were in the warm sun and the breeze embracing her to whatever comes next. 

It was the most mindful experience I have had with death. I am grateful she had the opportunity to choose MAID. I hope she knows that I respect her decision and that my day was bittersweet.