Ina Maude and Wade

Ina Maude and Wade, originally uploaded by wibbet_64.

My Aunt passed away. I knew it was coming. She's 82 and been living on borrowed time for years. She had a stroke several months ago and I was able to talk to her twice after that. I tried calling her again, but she'd been moved to a hospital and I could never find out where. Before Christmas, I learned she had advanced cancer and was in hospice.

I'm really upset by this. She represents one more thread that connects me to Daddy, a man that I frequently believe I do not miss. And yet, when someone else passes away, I miss him more.

After I got the phone call, I spent some time going through old family photos. Something strange happened when I got to one of my grandma: for just a moment I caught her scent, a strange mix of talcum powder and Rosebud snuff. I haven't smelled that it more than 30 years. I believe she was here. And once she was gone, I realized my Aunt is with the people she loves most. Her mother. Her sons. Her brothers, especially the baby. My Daddy. And she's with her sister, little Betty Price, who died of pneumonia when she was just 5.

I love you, Aunt Ina.