a few hundred miles

Whoosh... I am in Ohio today, to attend the funeral of my great-aunt. I drove out with my father yesterday. Aunt L. was his aunt as well as his godmother. The last time he saw her, she whispered in his ear that she wanted orchids at her funeral. So he brought a beautiful purple spray from his greenhouse.

My dear Aunt P. (my father's sister) on the left, Aunt L. in the middle, 

my father on the right, a little over 15 years ago.

Hopefully Aunt P. will forgive me for posting it.

On one hand, I keep wondering when is this streak going to stop. On the other hand, I feel that I am exactly where I need to be right now, with beloved family that I don't get to see nearly often enough due to time and distance. The post-funeral luncheon, at a cousin's house as it always is, brought back memories of similar times with extended family so many years ago, when the pleasure of being with all those relatives made a young me giddy with excitement no matter what the occasion. Even with today's overlay of sadness, there was still a sweetness in reconnecting with everyone thanks to all those memories. Maybe that's why I am supposed to be here.