Aunt Ethlyn

Aunt Ethlyn died Monday evening (she was adament we not euphemize it and say she passed on, or any such thing.) As people express their condolences, I'm almost surprised. I look at her death with such joy, especially in contrast with the Virginia Tech deaths earlier that day. Ethlyn was in her nineties, still did the books for the family business, and was healthy as a horse until a week ago. She was was surrounded by loving family when she died and, a strong Christian, had absolute certainty where she was headed. She died as she lived, surrounded by blessings!

What grief there is arises from the pain and the sorrow of the living. She will be missed sorely. As much as she loved, she was loved. As the funeral draws near that grief entwines with the outpouring of love, gratitude, appreciation and honor from all corners of the community to weave a final tribute to a remarkable woman and a life well lived.