Seeing Joy: A Story of Life, Death, and What Comes Next

Seeing Joy: A Story of Life, Death, and What Comes Next

Beatrice, one of America's first career women, is still feisty at ninety-six. She lives with her daughter Alexandra, who has moved to Cape Cod to care for Bea while running a bed-and-breakfast out of their beloved old house. Like so many adult children caring for elderly parents, Alexandra must balance her new job as caregiver with her role as daughter-and it isn't easy. Bea is demanding and very verbal. Her mind is like a fireworks display on a drizzly Fourth of July-some shots fizzle out, but there are still bits of brilliance. After a knee ailment confines Bea to bed, it becomes clear her life will soon end. Convinced nothing comes next, Bea declares she doesn't want to die. When deceased friends and family start "visiting" Bea's bedroom, Alexandra wonders if her mom is hallucinating. Or could these visits have deeper meaning? Bea entertains her "guests" by hosting tea parties and reliving treasured memories. She reveals an unexpected kind of joy to Alexandra-a joy that brings peace and chases away the fear of death as they experience their final days together. ALEXANDRA GRABBE is the author of The Nansen Factor: Refugee Stories. She worked in journalism and broadcasting while raising three bicultural children in Paris, France. For a dozen years, she ran an eco-friendly bed-and-breakfast in Wellfleet on Cape Cod. Now living in Arlington, Massachusetts, she continues her life-long passion as an author. Alexandra is a Vassar graduate. See Alexandragrabbe.com for links to her freelance writing.