Debra Lally

She then locked eyes with her father and said in an unnervingly hoarse voice...

Mimi's a shadow.

That's what he did.

He was like, okay.

My husband said it was so creepy, but we were already laughing it off when I asked him to say it the weird way she said it at least three more times.

We laughed about how odd it was and I definitely got goosebumps, but we found the whole thing mildly entertaining.

I shared with my husband that Mimi was a better friend than I ever had been.

The year of loss and grief put a lot into perspective.

I was motivated to make some changes and enjoy life more.

Within a few years, we were more settled, still struggling with the family loss, but Mimi visited less and less.

We then moved further north to a city and stopped... Thank you, girl.

We've moved further north to a city and stopped hearing about Mimi altogether.

Ironically, my now teenager has no memory of Mimi, despite their numerous songs that I recorded.

To the left, to the left.

Their backyard walks to make fairy houses or multi-course tea parties.

Several months passed until I had an unexpected call with my grandmother, Gigi.

Gigi is the unofficial mayor of her town.

Love that for Gigi.

She's in a nursing home a few states away, firmly within her community.

By community, I mean she's literally one phone call away from bootlegged booze in her room or a ride to anywhere in town.