Well the date holds special meaning to me as it was my aunt's birthday today. She passed from cancer 4 years ago and we all continue to miss her greatly. I am not sitting here crying (at least not now) as right now I am recalling all the joy she brought to my life and so many others.
She was my pseudo mom as my biological mother didn't really know how to 'mother' until much later in life. What my mom did do well was to love my dad madly, lol. Perhaps in that regard I am like her now as I love my second husband 'madly', or shall I say instead, I can not imagine living my life without him. But back to my aunt here. She took me under her wing at a very early age and she taught me proper manners in the world, at restaurants, she and her partner took me to many parts of the US so that I would be able to understand the workings of the government etc and to be well-rounded so to speak.
We played cards often as that was, and still is, one of my families favorite pastimes, and she loved playing so many games. Her signature 'te he' when she would get a great card was priceless. You just couldn't help being charmed by her zest for life.
She didn't suffer very long as far as we know, but then, she also didn't complain often. If someone in the family was sick, she and her partner were right there taking care of them. For me, that was often. It was also the summer I broke my humerous that she was here helping me, and then my aunt in Tucson as she had just had a knee replacement. Suddenly, she said they had to go. That was so unlike her.
Well unbeknowngst to us, she had thrown up here a few times and generally didn't feel well. When she got home and went for tests, the results came back as cancer with less then 6 months to live. They said if she had surgery, she might get a little longer. Well that was not to be. After the surgery which was far more extensive due to the amount of cancer, she lingered for 3 more weeks in the hospital before dying. Hubby and I flew to be by her side and arrived the day after her surgery. At that time, she was in and out of a coma and at least knew we were there. After we left, my brother and his wife went and stayed until she died. She died on her partner's birthday. Now that brought tears to my eyes. I know she held on to be with her on her special day, and I know it has forever changed her partners birthday. Life is strange isn't it? They were partners for 50 years. Two of the kindest, sweetest women you would ever know. Both suffered from childhood sexual abuse, but they found comfort and safety with one another, and traveled extensively whenever possible.
The more I write about her, the more I realize how much we have all lost. She was fun, she was kind and thoughtful, she was strong, she was full of wisdom, and quick to apolgize if she had been in the wrong. She taught me so much. I love you, I miss you, I honor your memory this day.....
Hugs,
Your Niece