In the midst of life...

[podling]

There is death. And I mean, really, that is the way of things. The circle of life or whatever.

Tonight I found out that my great-uncle had died. My parents thought that they'd told me before. I knew he was doing badly, over easter weekend my family was talking about it, he was in a hospital in Florida. It's weird really. I haven't seen him in probably two years, though after leaving for college, I generally saw him once a year. I have a picture of him and his wife in my room, and the other day I was staring at it, wondering if I would ever see him again. Apparently not.

He was my favorite of all my grandmother's brothers and sisters (and she had 10, so that is saying something (though I'm very fond of some of the others too)), he helped teach me to fish and swim, he let us use his boats, he welcomed my friends, he told silly jokes, he listened to polka music all the time and had a bar in his basement, as well as a bumper pool table. He had a zillion neices and nephews, and great neices and nephews, and cousins and all. He was a loving man who always had a good time.

Now he's gone.

So I think I want to go to the memorial service in MA on Wednesday. This'll be hard, but I think it's something I really have to do for myself.

Comments

[godcat.livejournal.com]

My condolences. A family member of mine died shortly after Easter, also, so I sympathize. I hope that you are able to wrangle your affairs to make the trip work for you.

[lonesomenumber1]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[bethynyc.livejournal.com]

hugs--my sympathy and love for you and your whole family. He sounds like a cool great-uncle!

[malinaldarose.livejournal.com]

Please accept my condolences.

[stronae.livejournal.com]

Ergh. All of us should be so lucky to lead a similarly happy life. I'm sorry he's gone. ::Hugs::

[cissa.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I'm so sorry for your loss...

[mowglikat]

Big hugs to you sweetie. If you need to talk or anything, Jen knows how to find me. I'm here if you need me.

[yendi]

*hugs* for your loss, Andrea. And more *hugs* for being able to have such good memories of him.

[fievel1.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry sweetie, if you need anything let me know.

[piratejenny.livejournal.com]

Hugs and sympathy for the podling. I think you should go to the service, even if it is hard. It sounds like something you feel you need to do. And sharing the memories tends to make it easier on everyone. Let me know if there's anything I can do.

[teapot-farm.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear that - yes, get to the memorial service. Your workplace will just have to cope. When my great aunt Lilly died, it took a while to persuade work that this was NOT just some distant relative that I had never met, and yes I DID need to get to the funeral - I don't think great aunts and uncles rate too high in UK family hierarchies, but I miss mine (despite the endless conversations about the budgie).