Long Week

Last Saturday morning I awoke to learn my great aunt Nori had passed away the previous night. I was very saddened to hear this. She was such a wonderful woman and I have so many memories of her.

Her funeral was yesterday. I didn't go.

For some time now I've been sort of known as the woman who goes to funerals. It's been true if there's a funeral I'm there. To be supportive of the family and loved ones, to mourn, to say good-bye. I've been to somewhere between 10 and 12 funerals since my mother passed away 9 years ago. That's a lot of funerals. That's a lot of mourning. That's a lot of support for my friends and family.

In fairness, several of those funerals were for people close to me. My mother, my great uncle, my grandfather, my grandmother, another great uncle. My mother would say they're dropping like flies. I say this began with my mother's passing but it actually goes back to November of 2005 when my father-in-law passed.

All that said, I just couldn't make myself go to another funeral this time. I loved Nori. She was one of the nicest women I ever knew. She made me feel like I could do anything. I miss her.

It wasn't that long ago that I went to Aunt Nori's husband's funeral. At the time, I remember thinking that it would be weird to go to things and not see Uncle Jack anymore. That I knew how much losing a dad hurt.

Tuesday I knew I couldn't go to the funeral. I just couldn't go and see how much my cousins were hurting. Having lost both my parents, I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I know it's never easy losing anyone, but I couldn't go and see the pain on their faces. It was hard enough at Jack's funeral. So I made my apologies to Nori's daughter. She understood.

Yesterday afternoon at thee o'clock, when the funeral was scheduled to begin, I said a little prayer for all of them, Nori, Jack, their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

I hope my cousins pain is overshadowed by their happy memories and the love their parents showered on them.

RIP Aunt Nori. We love you.