The Fates give, and the Fates take away
So. I'm behind in my regular posting and commenting on your posts (y'all have such cool lives!), but I hope to get caught up soon.
Last night, the Fates gave my family a great favor: My aunt (the cool one I love, not the one I hate) was diagnosed with colon cancer some months back. Her surgery was yesterday. They removed 1.5' of colon, got all the cancer, got BEAUTIFUL margins (for those fortunate enough not to be in the know, that means the area of cancer-free tissue surrounding the cancer), sewed her up without "leakage" (don't ask), and she only has to have a colostomy bag for about a month and a half, as opposed to the rest of her life! Yay!
Then the Fates took away. We've spent the better part of the day on the road, round trip to Edmore, MI (smack-dab in the middle of NOWHERE) for a funeral. My 20 year-old cousin was engaged to marry his sweetie and mother of his one-year old son a few months back. About two days pre-wedding, we're told it's cancelled. OK. Then, apparently, they spent the last six weeks arguing and Saturday he took a shotgun and blew his head off. 20 years old; one-year old child. What exactly can be said, except for what a terrible, awful tragedy and a complete waste of a young life. I'm stunned. I didn't know him that well (we're far away and not too close-knit a family) but I know his dad (my cousin) and his grandmom (my greataunt) and couldn't not be there to support them.
Anyway, I'm tired; it's hot and humid out; I'm dancing on air for my aunt and lurking on the bottom of a dark lake for my cousin. The moral of the story, if such exists: Love each other like there's no tomorrow, because there just might not be one; screw not sweating the small stuff - just flat out ignore it, it's nothing compared to the big things you could lose; and for the love of all that's good and holy, reach out to someone who cares if you're in pain - you never know, it might just solve the problem.
Love to you all.
Last night, the Fates gave my family a great favor: My aunt (the cool one I love, not the one I hate) was diagnosed with colon cancer some months back. Her surgery was yesterday. They removed 1.5' of colon, got all the cancer, got BEAUTIFUL margins (for those fortunate enough not to be in the know, that means the area of cancer-free tissue surrounding the cancer), sewed her up without "leakage" (don't ask), and she only has to have a colostomy bag for about a month and a half, as opposed to the rest of her life! Yay!
Then the Fates took away. We've spent the better part of the day on the road, round trip to Edmore, MI (smack-dab in the middle of NOWHERE) for a funeral. My 20 year-old cousin was engaged to marry his sweetie and mother of his one-year old son a few months back. About two days pre-wedding, we're told it's cancelled. OK. Then, apparently, they spent the last six weeks arguing and Saturday he took a shotgun and blew his head off. 20 years old; one-year old child. What exactly can be said, except for what a terrible, awful tragedy and a complete waste of a young life. I'm stunned. I didn't know him that well (we're far away and not too close-knit a family) but I know his dad (my cousin) and his grandmom (my greataunt) and couldn't not be there to support them.
Anyway, I'm tired; it's hot and humid out; I'm dancing on air for my aunt and lurking on the bottom of a dark lake for my cousin. The moral of the story, if such exists: Love each other like there's no tomorrow, because there just might not be one; screw not sweating the small stuff - just flat out ignore it, it's nothing compared to the big things you could lose; and for the love of all that's good and holy, reach out to someone who cares if you're in pain - you never know, it might just solve the problem.
Love to you all.