Happy and Sad

This has been a week of distinct contrasts for Terry and I. It began as a joyous week as we began the wonderful adventure of caring for our four grandchildren for a couple of weeks.
Somewhere in the middle tragedy struck. Terry's sweet sister passed away suddenly. The week that Terry took for vacation and fun with the children became a week filled with the sad task of contacting family and friends, putting together funeral arrangements, and attending the funeral. I am afraid that I was not much help to him because I had the children with me. We got through it and still can hardly believe it all happened within a span of a few days.

I want to tell you a little about Terry's sister, Anna Mae. She was a dear person. We became very good friends in the 34 years that Terry and I have been married. If I were to write a book about her life, editors would say that it was far-fetched in the sorrow she faced and that I would have to tone it down.

She married John after she finished high school. After a year they had their first baby, Larry. He died at birth. Later they had a daughter and then a son. When the boy was in his 20s he was killed in a car accident when he hit black ice. He had just finished college and was ready to begin a career and family with his young wife. Several years later their daughter developed brain cancer and passed away. She left a teen-age daughter and young son. The granddaughter grew up and had 2 daughters. Their son's widow adopted 2 little boys.

A couple of years ago John had a severe heart attack and had to be in hospitals all around the nation to try to find treatment that could save his life. It was a miracle he was still alive with the amount of damage he suffered. He lost his fight for life last August. Anna Mae was pretty much alone except for her teen-age grandson who lived in the town and her grown granddaughter who lived some miles away. Her daughter-in-law also called on her too. Of course, they had school and children to care for. Anna Mae watched over her 92-year-old mother who moved into town from the farm and helped her adjust to town living.

Many times Anna Mae asked me why it was that her family all had to die. Those are questions that I never had an answer for. All I could say was, "I don't know." I really will miss her but I am blessed having known her. She left the world a better place.
Elaine