cleolinda

My mother called about an hour ago to tell me that my great-aunt on my father's side passed away very suddenly last night. She was 94 and had been ill off and on the last few months, but the suddenness is something of a shock. She lived with us for 18 years because my mother worked, so she was there to fill in the gaps, if that makes any sense, as a combination grandmother/housekeeper. I was very close to her as a child, and so was my sister--she lived with us until I was eighteen and my sister was eleven. Really, she gave up her entire life, cheerfully, to taking care of people, and my family was just the last in a long line.

I tend to get very calm and practical at moments like this, because that's how I deal with things. Also pensive, distracted and unable to concentrate, but if I do get visibly emotional, it tends to come much later. Sometimes this is helpful for other people, to have someone who hasn't had a complete breakdown; sometimes it looks unseemly. It is what it is.

I feel bad even saying this, but I would really appreciate it if I didn't get any "When do we get new linkspam/Secret Life of Dolls/whatever thing?" requests for a while, like I already have this morning. But if I don't tell you, you won't know.