R. I. P.

Sue’s Uncle Dallas passed away on 6/16/16.  We had been at his bedside continually since we arrived in Ohio on 6/6.  After he moved into a hospice facility, we did what we could to keep him comfortable, and we were able to communicate with him when he was awake & cognizant of his surroundings.  Sue worked tirelessly during those 10 days to assist her uncle however possible, and definitely earned her stripes as a martyr.

I note several ironies in her uncle’s passing.  He was born in Cleveland OH, lived a full life around the country, yet died in Cleveland 87 years later.  He was buried in Selma AL (of all places) because many other of Sue’s relatives are there already.  Her family chose Selma to live, because of the Air Force base which used to be there.  So not only do we periodically travel to Selma, but we also frequently pass through nearby Demopolis AL (where we must have a boat slip with our name engraved on it, because it seemed that we spent a month there one week).

Sue & I are executors of her uncle’s estate, as well as trustees, so our work may just be beginning.  We accepted those responsibilities because Uncle Dallas had been so nice & helpful years ago to Sue & her siblings, as well as to our own children as they were growing up (although one might question whether one of our kids ever grew up, or just got older).

We have driven over 4000 miles during the past 3 weeks, and are now in Chattanooga to look after Sue’s mother in an assisted living facility.  After a couple days, we’ll head back to our boat in the Florida Keys, which has been enjoying a wonderful time in paradise.