How weird is this?

Last Saturday, my Aunt Janet passed away. She was my dad’s only living sister.

Duty and I used to go visit her when she lived in an apartment and then when she moved to a nursing home a couple years ago. The last time we were in town was a week ago Saturday to hang with the godson and I wanted to stop by to see her but we ran late and had to get home for the dogs.

She became unresponsive on Thursday and moved to hospice on Friday and it really was just a matter of time.

However, as people love to do, she came a’calling to me (in the ether, of course) before she left the physical realm. She told me that she was ready and so so happy to finally see her husband again and her energy was just exuberantly joyful. It was so nice to be able to connect with her again and I was thrilled she came to chat.

Anyway, so Monday I was raking leaves in the backyard (being helpful as I am, of course) and Aunt Janet popped in for another chat. She shared that she was quite happy to see her husband and her mom again. And she told me that I would be asked to speak at her memorial service.

I scoffed (which is not a nice thing to do) and said “Why would they choose me? There are lots of people who were closer to you than I was.”  She said “Okay, well, you can believe me or not. Up to you.”

I pondered it a bit (as I was raking) and wondered if I had made it all up as a way to assuage my ego or something. This was serious “Pulled out my ass” stuff, it felt like, so I went on about my day.

Today, I got a phone call on my way home from Annapolis from my cousin Janet asking me (yep!) if I would speak at Aunt Janet’s service on Tuesday.

You could have knocked me over with a feather on that one.

HOLY F’ING SHITBALLS!!

I know I have mad skillz but that one shocked even me!

Truly, I am touched that they asked me and this is something I really love to do. I did the eulogy at my grandmother’s funeral, my grandfather’s and my mom’s.

I also gave a speech at the Relay for Life at Virginia Tech after Lauren passed away. (She was on the team organizing the event and we walked in her honor.)

It’s a thing I do really well so I’m grateful beyond measure to be asked to do this.

But wow. Just wow. That feeling I got when I heard the phone message (the HOLY SHIT! one) is one I will always remember. Not too many moments like that in life, you know?

Thank you Aunt Janet – I’ll do right by you!

And thank you Universe. You never cease to amaze me.