A sad death

Deck rail plants

I attended a particularly sad funeral today.  The woman was only 57 and her youngest just graduated from high school and will be leaving home to attend college next month.  I didn't know this person well, but often saw her in church where she and her family typically sat a few pews behind me and she smiled if I turned her direction.

Because she wasn't a close personal friend my mind went off in a different direction.  She died at 57, I was diagnosed at 57.  All I could think of was what the past ten years have meant to me and all that she will miss.  She won't see her kids marrying and having children, her grandchildren.

In the past ten years I began raising puppies, began taking art classes and began volunteer work at Juvenile Hall.  I took classes in art and Spanish.  I traveled to Alaska (twice), Spain (twice), Ireland, Scotland and made multiple trips to England.  I've been to Honolulu nine times, most in the last decade.  I've found little pastimes that have strengthened my life - books and gardening and blogging, for example.  I've made new friends.

There is no justice in an early death.  It just makes each day more precious for those of us who are fortunate to live a normal human lifespan.