Aunt Shirley

We lost Aunt Shirley. She was 88. Look at her there with Uncle Jim. What a couple! She wore her little body out, living and loving and caring for her family. And she had fun doing it too! She and Uncle were married for 67 years! Uncle Jim and Peggy had a beautiful celebration of life for her this week. I enjoyed looking at all the photos at the visitation, Aunt Shirley was beautiful. She and Uncle Jim were a striking couple . . . from their courtship until forever. From the photo Aunt Joan, Dad, Aunt Jean, the whole front row, and now Aunt Shirley are gone. The reunion will not be the same. Ever. My heart aches with Uncle Jim and Peggy. They will have to get used to a "new normal" now too. Mom told us some fun stories of Uncle Jim and Aunt Shirley and Peggy coming to the farm to visit when we were very young, brought back some fun memories of family and the old farmhouse where I grew up.

I read this the day before Aunt Shirley's service. I think it is lovely . . .

By: Henry Scott Holland

Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
That, we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?

I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.

All is well.

Nothing is past; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before only better, infinitely happier and forever we will all be one together with Christ.


In other happenings . . .

Mom took a spill leaving Aunt Shirley's service. Her hand is all black and blue and swollen, but it is getting better. She was lighting a ciggy!  They are bound to get her one way or another I guess! She has a nice strawberry on her knee too. I told her to just STOP WALKING and light the damn thing from now on. As usual my helpful tips piss people off.  Good thing Mom is damn sturdy for 77! But she best be more careful.

Happy Birthday to me yesterday! 53. Wow. And oh yeah . . . I have a cataract! What the hell. I'm getting it taken care of in early July. It is annoying as hell! Mom is getting hers done later this year too. Gosh I'm old. And I sure did get a lot of sunshine when I played softball. And went out on Mar and Geo's boat. And lots of other times too. ARGHHHH.

Garden is coming along.

Weeds and peppers. The peppers are coming slow.

Tomatoes and onions and lilies and weeds.

Midge's zinnia bed. She is totally ignoring it this year! Maybe because there is a bumper crop of cat nip next to it and she is in there all the time.

I had a pang last week when I left work. The front lawn of courthouse was set up for the first concert of the summer. Dad loved those concerts. Even taking a ride isn't so much fun anymore. Missing my little sidekick.

Peace.

Kay :)