Friday, April 24, 2009

"Strange days indeed...."

So less than a month (by just two days) after Mother died her sister has now died. In almost identical fashion. Battling other health issues she fell and broke her hip and her demise was jump-started. What in the world is happening here? Is the old thing about "happens in three's" really true? If so, what's next? Dear God, this is just other-wordly (if that's a word?)
Aunt Jean lived her life exactly as she wanted to, no spouse, no children and very few worries - other than the next good book she was going to read and what opera was coming on the radio that week. When I was a child and growing up in a house that resembled Grand Central Station most of the time I used to think that was an awfully lonely existence. But in my adult years I respect the fact that she carved out a life for herself that was exactly how she wanted it...it wasn't loneliness so much as solitude. Spending most of the time stepping and fetching for others to make a dime I respect someone who built their life on their own terms like that. I hope to do the same someday.
Finally, it was one of the last acts of Aunt Jean's life to make sure that I got my life back. She was one of a number of people who supported me in having my gastric-bypass surgery. I'm determined now, more than ever, to make sure this whole process is a success and that my family and friends who have supported me through all of this won't be disappointed. And I promise that at some point down the road this blog will go back to detailing successes and very positive things. For the last month and a half, though, these have been very strange days.

2 comments:

Elisabeth said...

I had an aunt like that as well. Sorry you've had these two losses so close together, but they are together now.

Keep waiting for a post about the new job! How is it?

Sam said...

Aunt Jean was a wonderful person and I can't believe she's gone. I saw her down on the farm in Gray less than 2 weeks ago, smiling and petting the dogs...it's difficult to comprehend that she can be gone so quickly. Her passing so close to Grandmother's reminds me of Uncle Hank and Uncle Ralph's passing.

"When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions."

I don't think Aunt Jean would mind a little Hamlet quoting during this time. She was a wonderfully unique and cultured women who never lost her joy for life. I know the whole family will miss her very much and will never forget the strikingly independent, kind, and good humored women that she was.