loracs | Should be in Bed

There was this overwhelming sadness. There's been deaths this week.

dbubley's youngest sister died last Saturday and was buried today, on her 51st birthday. My co-worker and friend, Tomye's youngest brother died Monday morning. He was 38 and had no know illness, he just fell down dead in his home. They don't know why yet, but suspect the usual stroke or heart attack. Another co-worker, who I'm not that close to, his sister died Saturday. He's only in his early 30's so she was probably not that old. I've not heard what caused her death yet.

All this made me think more about my siblings. They are both older than me. Nancy is 55 and JoAnn is 65. Nancy lives in Illinois, our home town. JoAnn moved a few years ago to MO to be close to one of her daughters. Her son and his family moved there too. And I'm all the way out here in California. We've not seen each other since our mother died in Sept. 2000. I wanted to go back for a visit this fall but time got away from me. We promised each other we would get together once a year, maybe traveling to a point in between. It's never happened. Nancy doesn't like to travel, she is germ phobic and staying in hotels is hard. She has to bring 2 sheets to put over the bed and other cleaning accoutrement's. JoAnn has her boyfriend, who is an alcoholic and almost totally blind now to take care of, plus her son relies on her for childcare for his 4 sons. She's retired but busier than ever.

I really need to find a way to visit in this next year. I need to find a way to spend more time with the people I love.

And on a connected but not directly related issue, our dobie girl Gilly has been sick for 2 days. She has not kept any food down since Monday.

dbubley was home today and kept a watch on her, trying to get her to eat. We know it's serious when she wouldn't eat peanut butter off her finger. She called me several times today with an update on Gilly. I have a post-it on my computer listing when she ate, what she ate and when she threw it up. I meant to bring it home but I forgot. If anyone sees that note they will be very confused. 8-)

I stopped at the store and bought some cottage cheese on my way home from work. Gilly was not interested in eating any at first but I managed to entice her enough to eat about 3/4's of a cup. She has kept it down, so far. Then I laid in bed and talked and petted her for the longest time. I know she's a dog, but she is also most definitely part of the family. And a family member who can not tell me what's wrong. She's 8 years old and I know, in the natural course of things, we will probably outlive her. If she continues being sick I will get her to vet on Friday. I would do it tomorrow but I have 3 important meetings all involving my new boss. It would have to be an emergency for me to miss them.

Now I'm sad and tired, so off to bed. I have to get up in about 2.5 hours.