When it rains…
I missed checking in last week, we had an unexpected death in the family that made everything turn upside down. Our cousin’s husband had been battle genetic kidney disease all his life. a number of years ago, as a last resort, unable to find a transplant organ, our cousin, his wife, gave him one of her kidneys. It was not an ideal match, but against all odds, the transplant was very successful. A few years ago, though it started to fail and the search for new transplant began.
Last week, he got ‘the call’ and they gave him a donor organ. Unexpected complications arose and he died. We had great hope, especially since a good friend of mine from high school had undergone the same kind of transplant last year and is now enjoying a new lease on life.
Despite the loss they are suffering now, I know my cousin’s family is deeply grateful to the donor family, much as my high school friend is. In memory of him, I would ask all of you to consider organ donation and to make sure your family is informed of your desires.
On the heels of all that, a new family crisis came out of the blue with my extended family that may yet require some travel on my part to sort out. It isn’t fun when you start hearing things from your family that sound like they belong in a soap opera. But we all have family–right?
Not surprisingly, things have been a little disorganized around here!
On the plus side, the Calico Critic posted a lovely review for Remember the Past, so hop over and check it out. She’ll be dropping by here for an interview on Nov 23!
Also, for any of you who are in the greater Houston area, I will be speaking at the Cinco Ranch Library on Saturday. Click the link for more information. I’d love to see some of you there.
All the excitement has taken a toll on the record keeping as well as writing so we’ll dispense with the numbers for the week!
I was able to put together a new entry from my Writer’s Sketchbook, though.
She walked into her closet. What a day! If it had only been the traffic that made her later for the meeting, it would have been tolerable. But that on top of the irritable clients, her lunch that disappeared from the refrigerator and the mold she’d found in the coffee pot that someone had left over the weekend–oh what a ghastly day! She pulled off her shoes and bent to slide them into their spot on the shoe rack.
She froze. Each row of shoes had been carefully reversed. No longer could her eye run down the lines in pleasing color-spectrum order. Instead, her vision was violently jarred the a visual assault as brutal as the stop and go traffic she had just left.
This was too much. She sank to the floor, face in her hands, and wept.
I would love to hear what you think. Please have your share of the conversation in the comments!
I am so sorry for the grief you endured this past week. We all do have soap opera times in all our families. your post in the writer’s sketch book was good and had me laughing out loud. I wonder if hubby walks in and finds her crying and feels remorseful. Hmmm….it’s still funny though, although not to her. Sorry, I can’t wipe the grin off my face. Grace, I hope this week goes better for you. 🙂
Thanks, Deborah!
So sorry to hear of your loss. Here in Pennsylvania you can have your driver’s license marked to be an organ donor, which I have done for years.
The closet scene – I would have been screaming at someone and since it is only me and my husband here – he and I would be fighting…LOL! Is there a ghost in that house?
Hope you and your extended family are comforted by memories of your relative. And hope life slows down a bit for you. God bless you and yours.
Thanks, Sheila.
I think the closet ghost might her husband…
I sometimes think the function of family dysfunction is to provide a bit of drama to a genuine tragedy.such as your cousin’s husband’s death. My thoughts are with you. I just learned that my son in Berlin’s perfect marriage has failed, and he’s too far away for me to bop over and try to sort it. Have a good week, Maria
I’m so sorry to hear about your son, Linda. I’ll be keeping you in thoughts and prayers.
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your cousin. Organ donation is a wonderful gift and I’ve made sure my family knows that is what I want, along with having it stamped on my driver’s license.
Everyone has at least a little family drama, and I pray yours doesn’t get too difficult to handle. I can relate to the lady in your Writer’s Notebook. I hate those days when you just know that one little thing is going to tip you over the edge.
Hang in there! 🙂
Thanks, Monica!
So sorry to read of the unexpected passing of your cousin’s husband. I totally understand, my own dear cousin’s husband died from complications he suffered after he underwent radiation/chemo for prostate cancer. back in September. Prayers going up for your family! It’s never easy to lose someone. They leave a hole in your heart that no one can fill. Rejoice in your memories.
Thank you Ann.