Aunt Diana

Thursday evening, around 6 p.m. our family lost Diana. Diana had been sick for years, developing a rare form of leukemia due to some radiation treatments she had done as a young girl for her thyroid. Diana fought this fight with such strength and determination that I've not seen anyone have. I don't know that if it was me that had been diagnosed with such a horrible disease, I could have had the courage she did. I spoke with Diana sometime after her illness began and remember her telling me that she had lived a good life, that she was able to see her boys grow up, see grandchildren come into the world, have a career she loved, a good marriage and a beautiful home, that she was ready for whatever was dealt her now and that she was not afraid of dying. I remember the scared feeling in the pit of my stomach as I listened to her speak these words, thinking to myself "would I feel the same?" I hope I never have to find these things out about myself. So, like I said before, Diana lost her battle on April 13th, 2006. Knowing that this would eventually come to pass still does not prepare you for the actual event. I worried about Roger, so far away from anyone, what would he do if he got this news and was all alone, a fact that happened unfortunately, and I worried about Amanda. Aunt Diana was so very special to her. Mandi had a very special love just for Aunt Diana. Aunt Diana never once forgot Amanda, even through all her illness and struggles. I am so thankful that Mandi got to know her and spend some time with her. These will be memories that she will now carry with her the rest of her life. My heart broke the other night, before Diana passed. She was in a coma and I was explaining to Mandi that Aunt Diana's brain was just so sick that she wasn't really thinking clearly and was having a hard time knowing who people were. Mandi said to me "Did Aunt Diana forget me?" I wanted to cry..I still want to cry when I think about this. I told Mandi "Heavens no, Aunt Diana will NEVER forget you. When Aunt Diana goes to heaven to be with God, she will be all healed and she will remember every single minute she spent with you". Having to go into Mandi's room and tell her of Diana's passing was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Mandi cried, she was so heartbroken at the loss of her beloved Aunt. My heart broke too. I want to thank Diana. I want to thank her for the love she gave to my daughter, for the memories she gave and for reminding me that life is so very precious. You just never know what the future will have in store for you. It is so important to hang onto those you love with both hands and not let go. We will miss you Diana.

The layout above is my favorite photo of Mandi and Diana. It was taken about 4 years ago.

Blessings,
Cricket