By Melanie Freymond
who experienced the death of her beloved Grandma, when she was 22
When my beloved grandma Pitchoune died, I was just 22. We were so close, I couldn't accept that she could leave me. I felt abandoned and angry at her. Not staying alone with these negative feelings and talking about them helped me to overcome them.
As my grandma declined, I had a hard time accepting she wouldn't be there anymore soon. Nevertheless I went as much as I could and spent these last precious moments with her, even though at the end, we couldn't really talk anymore. It taught me not to be afraid and got me used to the inevitable.
When she died, I was anxious to see her in her coffin. But I decided to go anyway. I saw her so peaceful and serene, it had a soothing effect on me. It also helped me not to deny the fact she had died.
Today, 20 years after her death, I know she didn't abandon me. Her body died, not her soul. She's with me every day and I feel surrounded by love and protected by her presence.
Thinking of death this way makes me accept it and helps me for the day my parents will die. ‘Never alone, always together’ as my grandma said to me, just before she died, whether it’s during life or death.
About Mélanie Freymond
Mélanie Freymond was born in Lausanne to a Swiss dad and a Belgian mother. Her love of travel inspired her to become a flight attendant for Swissair, where she was able to practise speaking four languages - French (her mother tongue), English, Italian and German - and also open up her mind. She went on to study at Fribourg University whilst also working for RTS as a show host for the children’s show ‘Les Zap’. She’s presented many TV programmes and radio shows and hosted music and film festivals across the world. You can follow Mélanie on Instagram.
