Was just informed today that my oldest cousin died yesterday in Arkansas. That makes 3 first cousins and 2 cousins by marriage that have died since Christmas. I'm now the oldest survivor on my dad's side of the family and 4th oldest on mom's side. (I'm 80.) Getting old isn't for sissies. Asking prayers for the surviving family members. (I'm OK.)
Just sitting here thinking about your thread. I'm 71 and the youngest of all of my direct cousins. Everyone is still alive and in pretty good health as far as know. Pretty much spread around throughout the country. Years ago we kept in touch but just not so much anymore. And yeah, you are right...getting old ain't for sissies.
Here is hoping the rest of yours stays healthy!
.....never marry a woman who is mean to your waitress.
Posts: 5205 | Location: Lake of the Ozarks, MO. | Registered: September 05, 2005
First, let me say I'm sorry for your loss. I feel it more today than usual. Watching the attrition in my own life is beginning to sting. It goes from aging family members crossing over down to losing another son from my home as he and his new bride go off to school to watching Mrs DF mourn the loss of another her beloved chickens today. I know, they are just chickens, but what hurts Mrs DF, I feel empathetically. I am sitting here this morning feeling particularly melancholic about the cycle of life.
Naturally, this brings to bear thoughts spiritual and of hope beyond the grave to regain what has been lost. For me the sting is not so much fear of the inevitable and unknown as the loss of connection and further interaction. My last surviving grandmother upon losing my grandfather very late in life said to me once, "Now they are all gone. I am the only one left and it is lonely." From under the shroud of youth I didn't understand what she meant. Now these decades later I see it coming.
I did have a comforting thought as I considered your post, Flash. It is that the sweetness of the reunion on the other side must certainly eclipse the sorrow left behind. I expect I'll be waiting with great anticipation the crossing back to me each one of my children when the time comes as I believe families endure forever. Perhaps that is your understanding too.
You’re a lying dog-faced pony soldier
Posts: 30057 | Location: Norris Lake, TN | Registered: May 07, 2008
Update. I have this past month lost 2 more First Cousins--one 4 years older than I in Arkansas and another 6 months younger than I in Missouri. I was able to attend the Arkansas funeral but could not do so for the one in Missouri (schedule conflict). I'm still the oldest alive in my dad's family and there are now only 2 older than I in mom's family (and they are both in poor health).
Sorry to hear that, flashguy. Prayers for all concerned.
"I vowed to myself to fight against evil more completely and more wholeheartedly than I ever did before. . . . That’s the only way to pay back part of that vast debt, to live up to and try to fulfill that tremendous obligation."
Alfred Hornik, Sunday, December 2, 1945 to his family, on his continuing duty to others for surviving WW II.
Posts: 13073 | Location: Central Florida | Registered: November 02, 2008
Sorry for your loss.
