Sad News....
I woke up to an email from my cousin informing me of one of my cousin's sudden death. She was a few months younger than I, and the last time I saw her was at her parents double funeral about 5 years ago. Both my aunt and uncle died the same day in the same hospital within moments of one another from different diseases. The day of the funeral was surreal; it was also the day Megan called me from Iraq to tell me she was pregnant.
My first memory of her was at my fifth? birthday party. I remember it vividly because a party in my house with relatives from "the other side" was unheard of, actually, a party in general was a rarity.
After her parent's death my cousin went into seclusion. I did not see her online anymore, did not hear how she was doing.
They are doing an autopsy but they believe she had pneumonia with congestive heart failure. Her boyfriend found her dead.
The service is only for immediate family only. I do not ask why, and I respect the wishes of my remaining cousins and mother's family. I wryly acknowledge that they are Lithuanian, and my experience with them, especially the older generation, is one of distance, silence, and non-involvement. When my mom had her stroke, over 20 years ago, they stopped visiting her. I don't even know if they ever wrote.
I will remember her, the little curly blond girl who came to my party and sat at the table with me to blow out the candles, and the woman who never had children, but gave her love to her cats.
Live each day with joy, as we never know when our own candle no longer burns bright.
My first memory of her was at my fifth? birthday party. I remember it vividly because a party in my house with relatives from "the other side" was unheard of, actually, a party in general was a rarity.
After her parent's death my cousin went into seclusion. I did not see her online anymore, did not hear how she was doing.
They are doing an autopsy but they believe she had pneumonia with congestive heart failure. Her boyfriend found her dead.
The service is only for immediate family only. I do not ask why, and I respect the wishes of my remaining cousins and mother's family. I wryly acknowledge that they are Lithuanian, and my experience with them, especially the older generation, is one of distance, silence, and non-involvement. When my mom had her stroke, over 20 years ago, they stopped visiting her. I don't even know if they ever wrote.
I will remember her, the little curly blond girl who came to my party and sat at the table with me to blow out the candles, and the woman who never had children, but gave her love to her cats.
Live each day with joy, as we never know when our own candle no longer burns bright.
Comments
I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how strange it can be to lose someone that is family but that you've lost touch with. My hopes go out to you and yours and you are so right...we have to make the best out of every moment.
Best wishes and high hopes to you,
Jennie and all of the munchkins