Rest In Peace

This is going to be a blathering and possibly sad post. You might want to go read another blog...I'm writing for me today...




My aunt died this morning....though she was not really my aunt. She was my mom's cousin's wife, but I've known her all my life as Tante Ruth.

She was pretty spectacular. She grew up in Wellesley, MA and was the most proper, put together woman I have ever known. She was an impeccable executive secretary and never wore white shoes after Labor Day. Her purse and shoes matched and she wore amazing pieces of jewelry. She had a great Boston/Maine accent and she had a great laugh. She was very generous and kind. She loved boxer dogs and long haired cats (RIP Cupcake).

It's been a hard year for her. My uncle passed away in February - they had been married over 50 years. Her health has been getting worse and worse all year. She's been in the hospital 3 times in the last two months. Finally we told the Dr's no more. No more xrays, no more tests, no more prodding, poking and drugging. She was old and her body wanted to stop, but for medical science it could not. So we moved her back to her care facility and arranged for hospice care just 2 weeks ago today.

They were wonderful and kind. I was able to see her a couple of times. She was too weak to talk, but I got a few yes's and no's to some direct questions. I talked "at" her a lot. She had pictures in her room that I went though with her. And then I brought more pictures and talked to her about the beautiful things she had seen and done since I've known her...Oak Creek, AZ, clam chowder at her favorite restaurant, her love of fine clothes! I remember Bullock's was her favorite department store.

She would have been 91 on Thursday. I was planning a visit. My sister reminded me that my aunt used to love pistachio ice cream, so I hunted some down and was going to surprise her with it.

When I got home this afternoon I took it out of the freezer and ate it straight from the container. "Here's to you Tante Ruth - rest in peace. I love you and will miss you."