Lost two dear family friends this weekend
An ex-Army Vietnam vet buddy of my fathers died Friday on my birthday, don’t know the exact cause yet but he had a myriad of health issues. He lived with wife on a beautiful large ranch in West Texas with that is crawling with goats and chickens. My father goes deer hunting there and did for many years with his cousin Gary, who died from Pancreatic Cancer in 2011. Last time I visited the ranch was a year after Gary’s death when my family joined Gary’s wife and two daughters to spread some of his ashes in the place he loved so much.
Gary’s younger daughter, my cousin Natalie, was killed in a drunk driving motorcycle accident in August 2015. This Friday is finally the sentencing for the case against the motorcyclist friend of hers who drove drunk with her on the back. My dad and I will join Natalie’s mom in the courtroom on Friday, but we don’t expect a lot of justice.
Then yesterday my Godfather’s mother died after having a stroke and surgery to relieve bleeding in the brain. My Godfather Mike, whom I am partially named after, I have always been very close to. His father died long ago, but only recently his long-time Stepfather, another very kind man, died just over a year ago. Meanwhile Mike’s wife Janet, my Godmother, has been dealing with her parents deteriorating from Alzheimer’s disease, which they both were diagnosed with only a few weeks apart a few years ago.
My mom is travelling in May to her hometown of Lexington, KY to bury the last remaining of her Uncles. She no longer has her parents, grandparents, or any Aunts and Uncles. James was the last of the previous generation. I know that weighs on her immensely. My father still has his mother and stepfather, but they are both in poor health. And my father has already lost several of the cousins he grew up close to because fucking cancer taking lives way too soon.
So much death. I’m 35 now. No spring chicken. I suffered great loss early and often, but still hasn’t prepared me for reaching this stage of life where the loss of previous generations is natural. It makes me sad, but also makes me realize that I still have so much more I want out of life. Having my own family and building memories with them to leave behind knowing I won’t be here forever.
Gary’s younger daughter, my cousin Natalie, was killed in a drunk driving motorcycle accident in August 2015. This Friday is finally the sentencing for the case against the motorcyclist friend of hers who drove drunk with her on the back. My dad and I will join Natalie’s mom in the courtroom on Friday, but we don’t expect a lot of justice.
Then yesterday my Godfather’s mother died after having a stroke and surgery to relieve bleeding in the brain. My Godfather Mike, whom I am partially named after, I have always been very close to. His father died long ago, but only recently his long-time Stepfather, another very kind man, died just over a year ago. Meanwhile Mike’s wife Janet, my Godmother, has been dealing with her parents deteriorating from Alzheimer’s disease, which they both were diagnosed with only a few weeks apart a few years ago.
My mom is travelling in May to her hometown of Lexington, KY to bury the last remaining of her Uncles. She no longer has her parents, grandparents, or any Aunts and Uncles. James was the last of the previous generation. I know that weighs on her immensely. My father still has his mother and stepfather, but they are both in poor health. And my father has already lost several of the cousins he grew up close to because fucking cancer taking lives way too soon.
So much death. I’m 35 now. No spring chicken. I suffered great loss early and often, but still hasn’t prepared me for reaching this stage of life where the loss of previous generations is natural. It makes me sad, but also makes me realize that I still have so much more I want out of life. Having my own family and building memories with them to leave behind knowing I won’t be here forever.
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