Happy Anniversary

It has been one year since my grandchildren have come to live with me, without their mom (my daughter). It's a long story, to be saved for another day.
This past Wednesday (April 8) A. had meltdown after meltdown; I couldn't tell what the catalyst was, and was a bit mystified...then I realized what date it was: a year to THE EXACT DAY of the "permanent" transition to my home. Now A., 7 years old, was, I'm sure, not aware in her conscious brain of the anniversary; but I have no doubt that her little body and her unconscious mind were grieving anew the loss of Mom as she knew her, and the incredibly truncated relationship that she now has with her.
In other times, I likely would have grown impatient, even hostile and punitive, about A's regressive behaviours, the extreme neediness, the "irrational" upsets over "minor" disappointments. Fortunately, I was able to connect with the fact that something big was going on for her, even though I didn't yet know what it was. I was able to simply be present to her pain, to offer (mostly silent) empathy, and hold the space for her to have her experience, without judgement. Eventually, the big feelings worked their way through, and A fell into a deep, untroubled (I'm guessing, at least it appeared that way) sleep.
As for me, I guess I'm learning to accept these episodes for what they are. It's not about me, or my skills as a parent, or grandparent. It is a normal response to the deeply painful experiences of a little girl who misses Mommy.