And Then There Were None....But

I never thought I'd use Mobley's blog for any type of catharsis. But, here I am, writing about another sad occasion in a series of sorrowful events.
 

My mother, best of all mother's, passed away in March of 2013 after 19 days of gut wrenching pain and suffering.
 

 Father decided he would join mother, and made his final journey in August of 2013.
 

I was heart broken, heart stricken, heart sick, and tired of all the seemingly endless suffering. There were bright spots along the way. Bright enough to show us the way, (thank you to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ).
 

One shining ray of light was my Aunt Margaret. Aunt Margaret had four children, and they had nine children, and on and on. Needless to say there are a ton of  Gannons and half Gannons, a close crowd who kept Aunt Margaret young.
 

They dragged her thither and yon. They played cards each Sunday and ate a family meal. They celebrated every holiday with all the accompanying traditions and merriment. They had their share of problems as do all "normal" families, and a giant heaping helping of love to sustain them in hard times.
 

Aunt Margaret was young for her years, and my last connection to mom and dad's generation. We, my family, loved her and teased her mercilessly. She was a good sport, and held her own when it came to verbal sparring.
 

Then we received the news (right after dad passed away). Aunt Margaret had stage 4 lung cancer that had metastasized to her brain and lymph nodes. My cousin, Miss Sweetpea Pittypat, who lives in "Graceland" across the street, was devastated, along with her three siblings and the whole Gannon clan.
 

How could this be? Aunt Margaret was supposed to last. She was more spry, more alive than most 40 year olds. My grandmother lived to 92, and we thought Aunt Margaret would surpass her for sure!

How do you stuff the rest of your life into a prognosis of six short months?
 

How do you tell someone goodbye? Someone who just told her only living brother goodbye? You don't.... You pray, you believe, you encourage, you beg, you plead, and then you look death in the face yet again.
 

I remember the last time I saw Aunt Margaret alive, really alive. I had taken lunch over for Aunt Margaret and Sweetpea Pittypat. They were playing cards in the backyard patio. At one point during the game Aunt Margaret looked up from her cards and said, "I'm gonna beat this." I agreed, "Yes, you are".
 

The next Wednesday, after a call to come, I stood at her bedside as she breathed her last breath. She went in serenity and peace to her new home.

I just want to use this opportunity to say, "You did beat it Aunt Margaret. You beat all the pain and suffering that cancer bestows upon the bearer. You triumphed over that evil disease, I love you!
 

Aunt Margaret passed on September 25, 2013, less than a month after my father, her brother.

And then there were none........but....

But. I love the word "but". It changes the outcome of so many situations.
 

But, as I look upon her family I see Aunt Margaret in so many ways. Her smile, her quick wit, her generosity, her love of life. Yep, Aunt Margaret lives on through children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
 

But, nobody does you quite like you Aunt Margaret.
 

 

Aunt Margaret and Papa in 1935 at ages 3 and 5

Sweet "little rascals"

 

Here is a Scottish blessing for Aunt Margaret, as she was so proud of her Scottish heritage (Clan McClain).

..May the road rise up to meet you.

 May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

 the rains fall soft upon your fields

and until we meet again,

 may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Blessings, Theresa