Nope, no singing Disney songs, but more reflective today. Finished a chapter that had been haunting me for some time, and at the same time heard that my Great Aunt Dee passed away today. I was extremely fortunate to see her a few weeks ago (May 4) at her home in Oregon. Pics of her and me. Latter one has my cousin, Summer, and her new baby, Kelan (along with Mandi & Brad). Apparently she died peacefully surrounded by family and after she took her last breath, Kelan woke up and started wanting attention (or at least got it - he's a cutie!).


I knew Aunt Dee primarily from our rare family reunions held in parts of Colorado far away from civilization (harder and harder to find there). She taught me to play cards (and bed with pennies) and she and Uncle Bob quickly became a pair of my favorite family members. After I moved to California in '97 I got to see her again, but this time she was living with her daughter, son-in-law & granddaughter (Summer) - all new to me. Not surprisingly, they quickly became some of my favorite family members. Ones I plan to stay in touch with until my last breath.

So cheers to a life well lived and cheers to my extended and lovely family out west. I mourn for (y)our loss, but am excited to follow the growth of your next generation (Kelan and company).