Not the End, Not the End
In Memory of Laura Adele Reynen
September 25, 1968-October 11, 2005
My sister died sometime Tuesday evening. It was very sudden, happening in her sleep. My dad found her at 12:30 am Wednesday morning. She was cold to his touch. The night before, she had gone to bed late, complaining of a migraine. He hadn't seen or spoken to her for about 24 hours. This wasn't unusual for my sister, who frequently gets migraine headaches and needs 12 hours to sleep the bad ones off. He dialed 911, knowing it was probably hours past the time that paramedics would be of any help.
I think it was probably an accidental overdose of the pain medication she took for her headaches, something related to the siezure she had last month, or her heart with the irregular heartbeat finally just gave up. We will probably never know. I mistakenly thought an autopsy would be routine on anyone under 50. But it isn't that way in Oregon, it seems. All the police ordered was a toxicology report.
I loved her so very much. She knew all my secrets and could fill in all the details about growing up that I chose to forget along the way. She was incredibly bright, funny and sensitive. I think that's what got her in the end. Since my mom died, Laura had never been the same. No matter what the coroner writes on her death certificate, I'll know she died of a broken heart.
We are flying out tonight, taking a plane 3000 miles with a baby who turns two months old today. I feel a sickening urgency to bring him with us, even though he is young, hasn't been immunized, and will cry for the entire 5 and a half hour flight. I want my dad to see him. My sister never did.
She was only 37. Baby Burd, wherever you are, I love you.