Threes

Saturday evening I found out that a friend of the family's (Rita) husband passed away Friday evening. He had lung cancer and in January was given 3 to 6 months to live. His visitation was held on Monday. We met my parents at the funeral home for the visitation. Rita and her kids seemed to be in good spirits. I guess they are just happy that he is no longer in pain.

I've heard deaths come in threes. My cousin Tina passed away earlier this month and now Jerry passed away. I am scared and concerned as to who the 3rd will be.

Tina's Funeral

We attended Tina's funeral yesterday. It was held at Pitman Funeral Home in Wentzville. Tina was cremated and the service was beautiful. Her 2 sisters and daughter spoke at the service - well actually 1 sister did the talking. How brave and wonderful of them! There were so many people at the service, she touched so many people's lives. She was an amazing woman. She touched more lives in her 40 years, than most people do in 80. Tina was very hospitable. She was a great cook. She made some awesome dips, especially cheese dip. She was a very kind and giving person and she loved children.

I struggled with what to say to Randy (her husband), Angie (their daughter) and Andrew (their son). What do you say to someone who just lost their wife? What do you say to someone who just lost their mother? Nothing I could say would make it better. Nothing anyone said would make it better. She's gone and it is so unfair. She died too young. She died of a terrible disease. When I saw Angie, she asked me how I was. I wanted to say, "Are you kidding? Who cares how I am doing! How are you?" Angie got Tina's kindness - always concerned about other people. Angie also has a love for children like her mother. They are great with children and children gravitate to them.

After the service, there was a reception / luncheon at the American Legion in Warrenton. It was very nice and gave people a chance to continue to remember Tina and be together.

Don't Want to Sleep All Day or Cry All Day

On Tuesdays, Kaitlynn has a playgroup. I didn't sleep well last night and then after the news of my cousin's death this morning, I didn't think Kaitlynn and I would go. Kaitlynn ended up waking up at a decent time, I gave her a bath, and then decided that if we stayed home today we would just end up sleeping all day and I would be thinking and crying about Tina. So we went to playgroup. On the way there I called my parents. They were at Tina and Randy's house. Randy and the kids just got back from planning the funeral arrangements. Tina is going to be cremated. Her funeral is on Saturday.

There was a good turnout at the playgroup. There were 4 other mommies and 4 other babies. Kaitlynn had a good time at first, then she got tired and her teeth started bothering her, so she got fussy. Thankfully, when we left, she fell asleep right away. It's funny because when we go to the Tuesday playgroup, Kaitlynn wants to crawl and cruise around, but when we go to the group on Thursday, she sits by me almost the entire time. I guess because Thursdays group is much bigger.

She Lost Her Fight

My mom called this morning to tell us that my cousin Tina passed away. We don't know much at this point, except that she was at home. Tina was only in her 40's and way too young to die. Cancer doesn't care about your age. I thought she had more time, so I am still in shock. Cancer doesn't care about time. No one is guaranteed time. I just can't imagine how her husband and kids feel. The sorrow they are going through, but at the same time the peace of knowing that she is not going to be in pain anymore. Their 2 kids are between the ages of 17 and 20. No one should ever have to go through loosing a mom. I think it has to be sad and hard at any age.

Prayer Needed

My cousin Tina was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago, she went through chemo and things seemed to be fine. Well, a few months ago, she was diagnosed with bone cancer. She has been doing chemo, but now it is not working. They have been doing blood transfusions, but apparently her body isn't taking well to it. They are going to try one more transfusion and if her body doesn't take to it, there is nothing more they can do. Hospice has come in to talk to her. And if having cancer isn't bad enough, she also has the burden of no health insurance. Please pray for her, her husband and their 2 kids.

My aunt Tommy (real name is Mary) and my mom are really taking it hard. Tina is my aunt Tommy's daughter-in-law. Cancer is just a terrible thing. Cancer sucks!