Aunt L.

My aunt L. passed away on June 3rd, at age 45. I've put off writing this post because I felt like I just couldn't find the words. I still can't really believe she's gone.

My aunt had rheumatoid arthritis since the age of 3 or 4 years old. She was my dad's younger sister. She was always very involved in my life, and in all of her nieces' and nephew's lives. She had...what...40 nieces and nephews? I've lost count; someone will have to correct me. My point is, she had many, many nieces and nephews, and she never once forgot my birthday. I think it's safe to say that she didn't forget the birthdays of any of the other nieces and nephews either. But we weren't the only ones that she was interested in. There were also all of the spouses and children of her nieces and nephews, the people at church, the people at her apartment building (where she used to live), the young girl she mentored...I could go on, and I'm sure there are more that I don't even know about. She had a talent for making many people feel that they were individually special to her.

Aunt L. got married a few years ago. She was very happy, and it was easy to see what an effect her marriage had on her quality of life.

She was even a fan of this blog. She said it made her want to write one of her own. So it's only fitting for me to pay tribute to her on it.

She recently had a severe flare up of her arthritis. She'd had some medication changes, and was going to physical therapy. She ended up with severe infection, and passed away in the ICU.

Her funeral service was beautiful. I mean, really beautiful. I kept thinking about how she would've loved it.

I'm told another aunt (Aunt C.) has this picture of Aunt L. standing next to the sign for Finland, Minnesota, pointing up to it and smiling. And all Aunt C. can picture now is Aunt L. standing by the sign for Heaven, pointing up and saying, "I made it!!!"

And we all know she did, and is now pain-free. I love you, Aunt L., and I'll miss you forever.