Life can be such an off-balance mix of highs and lows, beautiful moments and heartbreaking ones all scrambled together.
A week ago, I was feeling a little sunburned from an Easter picnic with my cousins. I was checking in with my mom about RSVPs for her and my dad’s fast-approaching 60th birthday celebration. I was also helping my brother and sister-in-law in Seattle plan to come into town secretly and make a surprise appearance at the party. I was getting ready for our Anaheim trip.
Then, Thursday evening, I got a text that made the world stop. My cousin was in the ICU, and it didn’t look like she’d make it. My mom picked me up on the way to the hospital, and we joined the family that was already there, hugging and crying and saying goodbye. She passed later that night. It feels heavy and unjust and unreal.
She had already let her adult children know her wishes, including the fact she didn’t want her memorial service to be gloomy. Everyone is supposed to wear purple. Since it’s not scheduled for this week, we decided to go ahead with our convention plans. Not going wouldn’t bring her back, and a change of scenery could be really good right now.
So we’ll go – with these heavy hearts, this mix of emotions – to just outside the happiest place on earth.
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Please accept my condolences on the loss of your dear cousin. Life has a way of springing surprises on us when we least expect it. It’s always so hard.
You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Very true, Suzanna. Thank you.
I’m so very sorry about your cousin. It’s true, things can change so quickly. Maybe it’s good we often don’t see them coming.
Thank you. It’s strange how we know everything can change in a moment, but we still don’t think it really will.
No loss is easy, but something sudden like this is very hard. Thinking of you and your family.
That’s true. There’s something particularly jarring when it’s so sudden. Thank you for your thoughts.
I am so incredibly sorry about your cousin. Holding you in my heart right now.
Thank you, Mel.
Have you ever been at a point where things were going great and terrible at the same time? http://t.co/FISmxHdL4X