It finally hit me why this week was so stressful. Yes, it was a combination of blogging 2-3 hours a session twice a day, along with a stomach virus, allergies, lack of sleep, stress over financial situation, searching for a job and the one thing that I had blocked someone's 38th birthday. At least she would have been 38. She along with her sisters were my secondary family. I was like the obnoxious little brother they never had and they the sisters I never had.

I went to a Jesuit high school which taught us to be leaders and give of ourselves to help others. She may not have attended a Jesuit high school but she lived her life that way. If you needed directions on how to get somewhere she would tell you, if you still did not know how to get there she would take time out of her day to take you there. If you needed a shoulder she was there for you. I sometimes wonder if anyone was ever there for her.

In 2003 we had a big family reunion. Since our mothers are best friends, her family was invited. Despite her illness and how readily fatigue would set in she danced, laughed and enjoyed life that month. Especially the 10 day reunion. She somehow managed to touch everyone's life. Half the people there did not know who I was after the 10th day, but I assure you they knew her. She had a special gift that allowed her to touch everyone's life without being invasive.

Upon my departure she never said hope to be alive when you come back, she just mention that it would be nice if it did not take me another 5 years to visit. I told her I would be back in 2 to 3 years to visit and that we would go on a trip together like we had done 5 years earlier.

Last January I received a phone call from my Mom telling me that Elena was very ill and in the hospital. My first reaction was that it was nothing new and that she always managed to recover. So I paid it no mind, maybe in part because I was not ready to accept that this time she would not make it back home. The month flew by and everyone was calling me even her older sister informing me she was never leaving the hospital and that she lost the ability to speak. I waited a week and called her younger sister. I asked her point blank, how was she really. You see people in my family and hers tend to overreact. She told me that no, it was no overreaction, that it was true she was ill and that it has been a miracle that she has lasted this long. At the end of the conversation she add, "I believe she is waiting for you, please

• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about How does the death of a loved one affect you??
We want to hear your view. Write now!