For the last several weeks my aunt has been battling a variety of problems.
She had the need for a particular surgery that she had to go in for, which
was pretty risky due to her age, but they were reasonably optimistic I guess,
and headed to a fairly specialized hospital.
Unfortunately, things took a turn - her blood pressure was pretty rough and
she wasn't able to swallow on her own and then she ended out getting some
issues with an infection or something, and ultimately she ended out getting
sepsis(?) or septic shock or something?
After weeks of fighting she finally decided that she had enough fighting. They
took her off her blood pressure medicine that was basically keeping her alive
apparently - she was able to FaceTime with some family to tell them goodbye
before they did that, my mother among them. They took her off the meds this
morning and only a couple of hours ago she died.
She was a great woman, mother, and wife. I remember many times going over to
their house to get babysat, to jump on their trampoline, or just play in
general. They had this sweet marble track that was solid wood and looked
something like this:
You would put the marbles in the top and they would roll back and forth,
making this satisfying "sssshhhhhh-click-shhhhhh-clack" sound. We probably
played with that thing for hours. I know we'd clog it up by putting too many
marbles down at one time.
She played and taught piano and organ, and directed music. Because she was who
she was I got the privilege of being part of a select choir when I was fairly
young, in my teens, but it was definitely a choice experience in my life.
I feel particularly bad for my mom, who has now lost two sisters, and a
brother-in-law, this year. It's been 8 years now, but she also had to bury my
brother, and naturally any new death brings those memories afresh.
The good thing is that my aunt is released from her pain and suffering, though
the rest of us will miss her terribly.
