So let’s see. There’s actually a non-astronomical chance that I’m related to someone who just won $200 million in the lottery. No, seriously. One of the three winners of the $640 million Mega Millions lottery bought their ticket at a convenience store in the tiny town of Red Bud, Illinois, population 3700. And most of my father’s rather large family happens to live in Red Bud, going back generations.
Really.
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Our house is quirky, in that funky, built in 1940 kind of way. We have original tile in the bathroom and kitchen, doors that aren’t a standard jamb width, hardwood floors, sawdust insulation, original light fixtures, coved ceilings. You get the idea.
At 3am a few weeks ago, I woke up after a fitful bit of sleep. I turned over, readjusted Monkey from being planted on my shins, and tried to go back to sleep. Rob was sleeping peacefully. I was trying to go back to sleep, not succeeding.
And then I heard water. Running water. Inside the house.
So not long ago, we’re sitting in the office and I’m banging out a deadline – a case study about a tech outsourcer, I think – and Kristi’s cranking music off Pandora. A song comes on that catches my ear, and I ask her what it is. Eddie Vedder, “Society”. From the soundtrack to the 2007 movie “Into The Wild”.
I guess I’ve been living in a cave, because I’d never heard of the film. So I dug it up and watched it. It conjured up some stuff in me that a week later I’m still processing.
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Today has been a day of mixed blessings. My aunt’s sister Carolyn died early this morning after a 13 month battle with duodenal cancer. Carolyn, much like my aunt, is one of those people who is always vibrant, with a smile on her face and a welcoming heart. The world is a darker place because she’s no longer here. And while we knew she was dying and that the time was rapidly drawing near that she would leave us, it’s still hard when a 52 year old mother of 3, loving wife and dedicated teacher dies much too soon.
The upside of today was the birth of my cousins Matt and Shelly’s first baby, a daughter named Emme. We are anxiously awaiting photos and more details. I’m glad my aunt and uncle were able to be here for Carolyn and her family and still be down south for Emme’s arrival.
A day of true mixed blessings.
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