Birth / Death
Today's my birthday. I'm not going to pretend that it hasn't been fun. But I received some bad news this afternoon. My dad called to tell me that my Aunt Stella passed away.
This weekend, Vicky and I went on a road trip to Dallas to spend some time with Stephen and Rocky. They were throwing a Cinco de Mayo party, and they bought me a tres leches cake for my birhtday. Sunday evening around 8, we made our way back to Austin, driving through the town of West where my Uncle Ray and Aunt Stella live. It was around midnight when we got home, and while Vicky went to bed, I stayed on the computer for a few more hours.
I was just getting into bed when I realized that even though I'd been goofing off on stupid websites, watching political debates between candidates for next week's election, I hadn't even checked my e-mail. I blew it off and went to sleep.
When I talked to my dad this afternoon, he said that Stella had e-mailed him, and that he forwarded it to me:
Stella sent you a happy birthday message.....
As you can see she can't type well anymore ---- She can barely breathe ---- so maybe you can reply to her.....
THE DAD
Fwd: HAPP BIRTHBNA TO ,]MIKIE
From: ****@aol.com
To: ****@sbcglobal.net
Date: Sun, 6 May 2007 11:59:32 EDT
Subject: HAPP BIRTHBNA TO ,]MIKIE
TELL IKIE GPAY BIETDAY/I CAMTDP TP ,O ,ICJ
.....
When he told me that she'd e-mailed him, I didn't know that it was specifically to wish me a happy birthday. I just read this e-mail, and I feel horrible because I had plenty of opportunities to reply. I don't know even she would ever have checked her e-mail again, but still. She sent the message yesterday; my uncle called to tell my dad she passed away around 2:30 this afternoon.
.....
My parents are driving up Wednesday for the Rosary. The funeral will be on Thursday. I wasn't planning on going to either one... mostly because I have been planning a get together at my apartment on Wednesday. I do feel pretty selfish right about now, but I really don't want to cancel.
I also have to say that while it saddens me that my aunt is gone, I am sort of relieved and happy that she's at peace. She's been suffering from emphysema ever since I can remember. She was always in such pain and frustration. Several years ago, she asked me to draw a picture of her with angel wings because she was sure her time was up. She wanted her family to picture her at peace.
I know she is.
Stella, I love you and I'll miss you. God speed.
This weekend, Vicky and I went on a road trip to Dallas to spend some time with Stephen and Rocky. They were throwing a Cinco de Mayo party, and they bought me a tres leches cake for my birhtday. Sunday evening around 8, we made our way back to Austin, driving through the town of West where my Uncle Ray and Aunt Stella live. It was around midnight when we got home, and while Vicky went to bed, I stayed on the computer for a few more hours.
I was just getting into bed when I realized that even though I'd been goofing off on stupid websites, watching political debates between candidates for next week's election, I hadn't even checked my e-mail. I blew it off and went to sleep.
When I talked to my dad this afternoon, he said that Stella had e-mailed him, and that he forwarded it to me:
Stella sent you a happy birthday message.....
As you can see she can't type well anymore ---- She can barely breathe ---- so maybe you can reply to her.....
THE DAD
Fwd: HAPP BIRTHBNA TO ,]MIKIE
From: ****@aol.com
To: ****@sbcglobal.net
Date: Sun, 6 May 2007 11:59:32 EDT
Subject: HAPP BIRTHBNA TO ,]MIKIE
TELL IKIE GPAY BIETDAY/I CAMTDP TP ,O ,ICJ
.....
When he told me that she'd e-mailed him, I didn't know that it was specifically to wish me a happy birthday. I just read this e-mail, and I feel horrible because I had plenty of opportunities to reply. I don't know even she would ever have checked her e-mail again, but still. She sent the message yesterday; my uncle called to tell my dad she passed away around 2:30 this afternoon.
.....
My parents are driving up Wednesday for the Rosary. The funeral will be on Thursday. I wasn't planning on going to either one... mostly because I have been planning a get together at my apartment on Wednesday. I do feel pretty selfish right about now, but I really don't want to cancel.
I also have to say that while it saddens me that my aunt is gone, I am sort of relieved and happy that she's at peace. She's been suffering from emphysema ever since I can remember. She was always in such pain and frustration. Several years ago, she asked me to draw a picture of her with angel wings because she was sure her time was up. She wanted her family to picture her at peace.
I know she is.
Stella, I love you and I'll miss you. God speed.