I usually write a lot in this space to tell you about the show. On today’s show it’s just me. It’s not about the Phillies dramatic come-from-behind win. It’s not about the NFL weekend.

It’s about my week. Flying to Vegas, sitting in on a few panels, setting up this charity poker tournament and running a really fantastic event that was probably the coolest thing I’ve ever been a part of in my life.

But really, this weekend was about learning that my grandmother passed away while I was moderating a panel. And wondering if I should blow off the poker and fly back. And getting through a busy weekend with a heavy heart.

My grandmother didn’t deserve to suffer, after falling and cracking at least four ribs and breaking her clavicle the day before she turned 94. My grandmother deserved better than that. She was the toughest lady I knew. She didn’t take shit from anyone and if you didn’t like it, well, that’s on you. From the stories we told, and listened to, this weekend at her funeral, she was always like that. Yet she was refined. She wasn’t abrasive at all. She was just sharp. And the funniest lady you’ll ever talk to. Always smiling and telling a story that would make you cry with laughter.

So that’s what this weekend was. Some laughter, some crying, some crying with laughter and sometimes crying so much it made you laugh. Yes, talk about squeezing blood from a stone, I tried to get through what I wanted to say at the cemetery and I couldn’t do it. Me...mister has something to say about everything, couldn’t get through talking at my grandmother’s funeral. But hell, if she didn’t give up during the last two years of her life, how could I give up for a few tears. It was tough seeing my grandfather’s grave there as well, knowing I’m 0-4 now. But really, I tried to figure out why she stuck around so long, especially the last six months or so, when she was nothing more than skin and bones (and ears).

Last Sunday, as we celebrated her 94th birthday, I realized why. The look on her face to see my daughter Zoe wearing the same color as her made me realize why it was worth waking up every day. And she still had that bite to her, saying to the room of me, my wife, mother and uncle, “that’s it? I thought more people would come.”

More people were there a week later. Let’s hope she saw them.  And yes, I’m sure somewhere, she’s complaining about who didn’t show.