Mildred’s Death Day

On December 9, 2019, my grandma—wearing her favorite dress, with her hair set and makeup applied—sat in her favorite recliner, surrounded by family at home, and raised a glass of strawberry daiquiri for a toast. We all yelled “kanpai!” She thanked us, and drank. Eighteen minutes later, she was dead.Mildred was a complicated woman to love. She was not a hugger or giver of compliments. While she was exceptionally generous (money was her preferred gift to give), had a good