Thursday, June 11, 2009

3 Weeks in 1 Post

A few days after I was back on American soil, my best friend Lizz came to visit for a week! It was a great time full of cupcakes, vintage shopping, and general silliness. When she left, I was sad to be all alone without my biff.

Over the next few days, Aaron had told me I would be getting a package in the mail on Monday.

Well, I came home from work that day to learn that the "package" was him! My parents had been in on it with him for weeks; it was the biggest surprise I have ever received. I couldn't stop smiling the whole time he was here {4 days}. He really is the best there is.

Tuesday morning took a turn for the worse when our phone rang at 2:30 in the morning from my uncle. My 27 year old cousin, Angelina, had been fighting colon cancer for a few years and she had died. A night earlier, her hospice nurse had said that her time would be coming very soon and I like to think Angelina waited until her best friend drove through the night from Pennsylvania to New York to see her one last time.

We flew into Rochester and then drove to Syracuse Thursday. The wake and funeral were lovely; Angelina planned 99% of them while she was alive. I could not believe how strong her twin sister, sister, brother, and mother were. But as it was said throughout the weekend, Angelina is now with her father {both God and her dad} in heaven.

One thing that Angelina encouraged before her death was the "celebration of life." Because of her, I am trying to remember every day how valuable life is and how it can be gone in an instant.

4 comments:

Farmer's Daughter said...

Kayla, I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin. So young, at least the family had time to prepare.

As for the rest of your time at home, I'm glad you still get NH visitors even though you don't live there anymore. Aaron is the sweetest, I so approve.

Kayla said...

Abbie - Thank you very much! I hope the last of the school year is going well for you, and that I get to see you sometime next semester!

la petite fashionista said...

what an exciting surprise! he's a keeper :)

I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin; my deepest condolences! You're so right, it definitely makes you appreciate life and not sweat the small stuff.

Everydaywoman said...

Kayla,

I am so sorry to learn of your dear cousin's passing. Do celebrate life by remembering the good times with her. As you said, that's what she would have wanted.

Hugs,
Ruth