another goodbye...

My Aunt Donna lost her battle with cancer and passed away yesterday. She was only in her mid-50's, and has been part of our family since she married Uncle David almost 11 years ago. I'm glad that she is no longer ill or in pain, but her absence leaves a hole in our family.

This photo was taken by my sister just last year, Christmas Day 2008, of Grandma and all her children and their spouses. (Donna is in the middle, in blue.) It's hard to believe that two of our loved ones who were there that day are now gone....

Uncle Chuck, Aunt Jeanette, Uncle Ron

Aunt Gin, Grandma, Aunt Bernice, Uncle John, Aunt Donna, Uncle David, Dad, Mom

I found this poem online, author unknown:

You can shed tears that she is gone,
Or you can smile because she lived,
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared,
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on,
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Goodbye, Aunt Donna. You are missed....