David and I are in Cleveland Ohio for our sister-in-law, Maureen's, wake and funeral. Not a happy time. Maureen was just 64 years young, beautiful, intelligent, good. She is missed already. She leaves behind her husband of 38 years, Alan (David's brother), and 4 beautiful children and their spouses. Also three terrific grandchildren who will miss their Mimi very, very much. Maureen passed away peacefully the morning of Dec 31st after a prolonged battle with cancer. What can I say except that a void has been opened in our lives.
We drove to Ohio from Upstate NY rather than take the chance and fly. We made it in 8 hours, with a stopover at a Comfort Inn last night. So four hours driving yesterday and four today. Wasn't too terrible and the weather really was good. Cold but good. No snow yet.
Cleveland is bustling. We haven't been here in a few years. David of course grew up here; I've only been here a handful of times. Winter does not show Cleveland at its finest. But it is still an exciting city to visit.
Our very first visit together to Cleveland, back the the early 1990's, was when I first met David's family, Alan and Maureen. I remember Maureen telling me that she thought I was very brave for meeting the entire family at one time. I remember laughing and saying yes, I had been a tad nervous about it, but all nerves were quieted as soon as I met her, Alan and the "kids." Everyone put me at ease and I felt as if I'd known Maureen and Alan forever. They made me that welcome. A wonderful feeling.
David and I were still residing in NYC when 9/11 happened. We raced back Upstate to our then weekend home. When we arrived, Maureen finally managed to get through to us on the telephone to see if we were all okay. She and I spoke for a while, and I told her I loved her. She reciprocated. It was an emotional and terrible day, but I am glad that it made us voice our feelings out loud to one another. Especially now when memories must suffice.
I must get ready for the wake so will be signing off. It has been somewhat therapeutic to write about Maureen. Though time is the true healer.
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