Damnit

My sister couldn't have said it better.
Life took a sad an unexpected twist since my last post. Shortly after finishing that blog entry I received the call to fly to California as quickly as possible. While frantically looking for flights, I received another phone call - this time from my cousin - to say my uncle had suffered a massive stroke and it didn't look good.
My desperation to reach California ASAP was agonizing. I finally made it there last Wednesday morning. Barry was indeed at the close of his life. I volunteered to stand the night vigil to allow my sister some sleep. Barry made it through the night but by morning had ceased recognizing people and moving around. I walked to my mother's house (she lives just down the street from my sister) for a quick nap and a bite of food. That afternoon my cell phone rang. It was my sister who said I better come fast. Tearing out of the house at full speed I ran down the street and realized I should have kept up my exercising as my feet weren't carrying me as fast as I'd like. Al, my step-father drove up alongside me and we tore the rest of the way to my sister's house. Barry's parents, sister, children and my sister were there as he took his final breaths. It was over and it was peaceful.
My sister checked for a pulse and said he was gone. Then, the rise of emotion: she yelled out "DAMNIT!" and collapsed.
The rest of the time was a blur of hospice, paperwork, final details being carried out and grief.
I found out hospice had been called for my uncle. Unbelievably, my sister wanted to make the drive with me to San Jose to say our good-byes. Sadly he passed Saturday morning. We were to see him that afternoon. We still made the drive, this time to console and grieve with my aunt, my cousins, neices and nephews.
It's been a rough week. I'm home for a few days to tend to work and home details and will go back to CA for services and memorials. My wonderful husband and dogs have been a great source of comfort. Truly, Therapy Dog is Moto's calling. Never have I seen a dog who knows just how to "be": he's not too clingy or too withdrawn. He's just perfect. And that big fuzzy body is so huggable.
In spite of these losses that have rocked our family, I know that this fragile life is indeed a blessed one.