Beloved Aunt and Family Matriarch

The family bid farewell to another beloved elder in February. Five months after my father's passing, Aunt Mae left to join her best friend, Uncle Gene, who died in September of 2010. I worried about my mom, losing her husband and sister in such a short time. But mom is nothing if not pragmatic, and seems to be coping pretty well.

Still Aunt Mae's passing is deeply felt. She was the core of the family and her passing is a game changer. Holidays always centered on her and her little Massachusetts house. It remains to be seen whether the house will stay in the family. I hope it does. But even so, the true heart of that home is gone and now we must all make new futures for ourselves and the family.