This past Saturday started early for me with a morning call from my mom that my Aunt Dona (her youngest sister) had passed away suddenly in her home in Oklahoma. If you're my facebook friend, you've seen posts from my aunt; usually smart-assed, always funny. That's how she was. She was an original and we loved her deeply.
The next day I was on a 7AM flight into Oklahoma City, and at 2AM on Monday I was walking into a hotel room in Cherokee, Oklahoma. It's an awful reason to come home but I'm so glad I did. It was nice to see my family all together and I really needed a chance to say goodbye.
My Aunt Dona was a hell of a lady, as evidenced by the 600-ish people who came to her graveside service this morning. I don't think I've cried so hard in a very long time and I know my life won't quite be the same. She's gone too soon, it's tragic and I'm angry. My aunt and her husband had two kids, both of whom are getting married this year. It kills me that they have to do it without their momma, but it is what it is. As one of my other cousins said "I know God has infinite wisdom, but I'm having a hard time with this one".
Aunt Dona had just retired (though she was only 51) and started re-decorating her house, taking time for herself and starting to truly enjoy her life. She had reconnected with her extended family and I think we all kind of felt like we (my cousins and myself) were only just getting to know her as adults rather than as kids. We do know though that she was an original. A one-of-a-kind kind of lady and we are all better for having known her. Please pray for our family and all who loved her as this is a devastating loss for everyone.
"If heaven was a town it would be my town
On a summer day in 1985
And everything I wanted was out there waiting
And everyone I loved was still alive"-Andy Griggs
Or, as my Aunt Dona had on her facebook "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting "Holy Sh*t what a ride!!!"
The next day I was on a 7AM flight into Oklahoma City, and at 2AM on Monday I was walking into a hotel room in Cherokee, Oklahoma. It's an awful reason to come home but I'm so glad I did. It was nice to see my family all together and I really needed a chance to say goodbye.
My Aunt Dona was a hell of a lady, as evidenced by the 600-ish people who came to her graveside service this morning. I don't think I've cried so hard in a very long time and I know my life won't quite be the same. She's gone too soon, it's tragic and I'm angry. My aunt and her husband had two kids, both of whom are getting married this year. It kills me that they have to do it without their momma, but it is what it is. As one of my other cousins said "I know God has infinite wisdom, but I'm having a hard time with this one".
Aunt Dona had just retired (though she was only 51) and started re-decorating her house, taking time for herself and starting to truly enjoy her life. She had reconnected with her extended family and I think we all kind of felt like we (my cousins and myself) were only just getting to know her as adults rather than as kids. We do know though that she was an original. A one-of-a-kind kind of lady and we are all better for having known her. Please pray for our family and all who loved her as this is a devastating loss for everyone.
"If heaven was a town it would be my town
On a summer day in 1985
And everything I wanted was out there waiting
And everyone I loved was still alive"-Andy Griggs
Or, as my Aunt Dona had on her facebook "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting "Holy Sh*t what a ride!!!"
We miss you already Aunt Dona. I hope they have boats in heaven :)
Say hi to Peepaw for us.
Sheena- I am so sorry to hear about your aunt, and I want you to know I'm praying for you all. I do remember some of her facebook posts on your wall, and she always made me laugh or smile and think to myself- "right on". I know I didn't know her personally... But she seemed to be my kind of lady. Thank you for sharing her pearls of wisdom- I know I'll pray to her to watch over all of you... You've got a very special angel in heaven.
ReplyDeleteLots of hugs coming to you!