Happy Couple

Happy Couple
Originally uploaded by blountman.

I just got back from a quick trip to Iowa for my Aunt Dianne's funeral. What a mixture of melancholy and merriment. Aunt Dianne was married to my Mom's Brother. Uncle Alan passed away in 1992. He always referred to Aunt Dianne as his "Bride." That is a tradition I continue to this day when referring to Peggy. To say that those two influenced me would be an understatement. To say that I had stayed as close to Aunt Dianne and the Iowa branch of the family as I should have over the years would be a lie.

Aunt Dianne had back problems, and over the past six months had two surgeries. While the surgeries went okay, other complications set in and let's just say that the family had an extremely tough past six months. Following her second surgery about two months ago, Aunt Dianne never regained consciousness, her kidneys failed and were revived only to overshadowed by numerous other complications.

When the time came to make the decision to take her off the respirator and put her on Comfort Care, the family was physically and mentally exhausted. She lasted less than 24 hours after being taken off the respirator. A blessing for everyone involved, to be sure!

Aunt Dianne had a soft spot for special needs kids. She and my Uncle Alan were foster parents, and they adopted several children who started off as foster children. She leaves behind a gaggle of children...seriously...seven to be exact. Ranging in age from 11 to 40!

My cousin Ray (Aunt Phyl's youngest son...he's 40, too) and I were there to represent the Johnson side of the family as Aunt Phyl was unable to make the trip. She is invading Iowa in a couple of weeks as the "mop up" crew. Ray and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit with each other and with Rod, Jeff, Robyn and all the Iowa cousins, some of whom we had never met before!

But, I must say that the highlight of my couple of days was the making of a new girlfriend in Robyn's youngest child, Regan. Guess she could tell that I am about four years old mentally, so we bonded immediately. Not that she didn't spend a lot of time on Ray's lap as well, but I won out while I was there because I live in Florida, have a pool, could take her to the ocean and to Disney World. Ray didn't stand a chance, poor fellow.

Anyway, we have exchanged email addresses, cell phone numbers and snail mail addresses with the promise to do a better job of staying in touch. It was good to sit on Robyn and Tim's patio Monday after the funeral and just reminisce about Uncle Alan, Aunt Dianne, and the good times we had growing up. Those visits to Granny & Grandpa's in Kentucky were special indeed. The laughter we shared on that patio Monday reminds me that I need to stop being so "busy" and slow down long enough to enjoy family and loved ones in Christ.

Thank you Uncle Alan and Aunt Dianne for the influence you still are in my life. Thank you Aunt Phyllis for the glue you continue to be to hold the family together. Thank you Regan for loving on an old guy like me, when you obviously will be able to have anyone you want for your "boyfriend."