nolapenguin | Death in the family

One of my great uncles passed away last night.. He was my grandfather's youngest brother Donald. Donald was my brother's godfather, and I think maybe my dad's as well. When I was growing up, we spent many a vacation with Donald's family. He was really a wonderful person, very close with my dad. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. During his chemo he had a few strokes, including one just a couple of weeks ago. That last one is the one that really did him in.

I don't why I feel like putting this in here, but it is a journal right? I've got this thing with not communicating with my relatives. I'm a pretty solitary person sometimes, vestiges of my severe shyness during youth. I can't remember the last time I saw Donald. Maybe a Christmas or a wedding. I think it was my cousin Kelly's wedding this past spring. Sad that I've chosen to ignore the elders that shaped the course of my life, rather than embrace the lineage I was born into. It's funny that I'll spend all kinds of time with my wife's family, but not mine.

Sorry. Just musing sadly.