When you are young, grandmothers seem so very old -- ancient, even. They favor knitting over Angry Birds, think texting is something you do on a skateboard, and prefer shopping at Sears for their 'comfortable slacks' rather than snagging a pair of cute skinny jeans at GAP. When you are young, even your own parents seem old-ish.

For years, as Mother's Day approached, my stomach would have its usual knot of anxiety, my brain running overtime, telling me to send a card even though I had never lived with my mother, even though she pretended she didn't have a daughter or grandchildren.

Now that mom is ten years older and living alone, the brilliant new technology for her isn't shiny, available in multiple colors, made by Apple or even Internet-based. It's cellular. It's subtle. It keeps her connected and living safely in her own home.

A few days ago we said goodbye to you. Losing you has left me with nothing to say, Grandma. Usually I am the last to run out of words.

I told her what a pleasure it has been to be her granddaughter, and that our relationship is not over, it's just on pause.

A 5'0'' basketball-playing grandmother has become "China's Internet darling" after her moving story made headlines earlier this month, Time magazine r...