Very sad news today, Barack Obama’s grandmother, one of the biggest influences in his life, has fallen gravely ill. She was released from the hospital last week, but her health has taken for the worse.

Yahoo News Reports:

“Senator Obama’s grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has always been one of the most important people in his life, along with his mother and his grandfather,” Gibbs said. “Recently his grandmother has become ill and in the last few weeks her health has deteriorated to the point where her situation is very serious. It is for that reason that Sen. Obama has decided to change his schedule on Thursday and Friday so that he can see her and spend some time with her.”

Citing the family’s desire for privacy, Gibbs would not discuss the nature of Dunham’s illness. It seemed likely that she was close to death, as Gibbs said that “everyone understands the decision that Sen. Obama is making.”

Obama is expected to spend Wednesday and Thursday with her in Hawaii. He will return to the campaign trail on Saturday. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Obama’s family.