Cahira always had been fond of Granny Meva. The old Matori had always given her and her siblings sweets when they came to the market and when her mother was busy the elder had also watched over the children for a few hours until their mother was ready to leave again. Since she was so young she didn’t truly comprehend what passing away had meant. All she knew was that for a few weeks when they came to the market her mother would drop a package off to Granny Meva’s daughter and they would seem rather sad. So sad that it made Cahira frustrated. What was going on? It wasn’t like it was raining and she didn’t see anything bad so why the long faces?

But then she began to realize that Granny Meva wasn’t coming out to meet them as much anymore. In fact her mother seemed even more somber when she had asked. Cahira didn’t understand though - didn’t people get better after being sick? Sure being sick was awful, but it wasn’t ever lasting. She had even thrown a tantrum when her mother hadn’t let her go bring Granny sweets from the market. She had loved those sweets and the flowers that Cahira picked for her! She wanted to give Granny sweets so that she would feel better. Why couldn’t she go?

The next few days revealed the truth as Cahira followed her family to see Granny. But it wasn’t Granny that she was seeing - only a hill that was decorated in stones and shells. And there were so many people crying, “Granny had a big family.” She whispered as she glanced around at all the strange Matori who were saying their respects. Respects...Cahira pursed her lips against the word. Granny didn’t need respects, she needed to be here! The little girl had never experienced death before but it felt so wrong and so sad! She didn’t like it, not one bit. They were supposed to bury Granny into the ground and leave her here? Her family had explained it to her yesterday but she still was in disbelief. Why did the world have such a horrible thing happen to people? No one should have to go through that...it was scary. And how was everyone so calm about it? Well okay maybe a few people were crying, but they just accepted it? And to place Granny in the ground?! Why did they want to do that to her?

“She can hear the waves at least.” Whispered a soft voice from her side.

Cahira’s gaze widened as she glanced to a boy who was a few years older than her, “How?” She managed with her gaze narrowed, “She can’t hear the ocean anymore!”

“But the hills...listen.” He placed a finger to his lips and glanced around.

In the silence Cahira then could hear something...it was the ocean. Her gaze widening Cahira reached out to tug at his hands, “How? How?”

“The wind carries the sounds.” He smiled, “Granny would be glad to see that you’re here for her. I remembered you a few times before.”

“You do?”

As they talked Cahira was surprised to find that her eyes were even watery and soon tears were slipping freely down her cheeks as everyone said their farewells to Granny. The boy was right - at least they were all there to say goodbye to Granny. Even if she didn’t like it she was still glad for the chance to see her the elder Matori off. And she had to give it to the boy, he did say a few smart things here and there as they waited. I’ll be back Granny and I’ll bring you sweets. If the Old Matori could hear the ocean then couldn’t she have sweets and flowers still as well? Cahira nodded her head. She would continue to pay her respects when her mother allowed and would bring Granny sweets at least once a year. Just thinking such things made the young girl feel a bit better, not completely happy but content. She was sure that the boy was right and that Granny wouldn’t want her to cry after all. So she would remember Granny in her own way by always buying her favorite piece of candy and even bringing it to her on occasion. Along with those blue flowers and the shells she liked! Cahira smiled. She wouldn’t let Granny be lonely and would make sure that her stone would forever have something to keep it colorful - just the way Granny liked it!

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