A Loss Again

My Aunt T died on Sunday afternoon, just sat down on her sofa, complained of feeling breathless, and went. Pretty good way to go, without pain or distress. She's been growing frail, and had some health issues, but nothing which exactly predicted this, now. But she has not recovered from my uncle's death sixteen months ago and after 65 years of happy marriage, I don't think she ever would have. As well as being my uncle's wife all those years, she was my Mum's best friend for even longer - since they were eight years old. It was because of their friendship that Aunt T and Uncle R met, fell in love very young, and never looked at anyone else. Both adored my Mum, and she them, but I think there was always a deep, complicated, and unspoken sense of loss for her. Well, it somehow doesn't feel surprising all three have died within sixteen months of each other. We toasted all three in malt whisky on Monday evening, when we had just heard the news. The week after next we'll be back at the same beautiful village church in Buckinghamshire for the third funeral.

So, five deaths in two years. If possible, I'd like some respite now please. But I have no idea who is in charge of these things. It is all feeling too much right now what with the job disappointment, the loss of a friend, the culmination of complex processes in relation to my mother's estate, with papers to be signed before both my siblings head for far away places for several weeks, and now this final loss of my dear aunt, and with her of an era.