Two Marriages on the Rocks and a Funeral

Death and dying used to scare the hell out of me but as I got older I guess I've learned to accept that dying is the only thing that I could be certain of in my life.

A dear old uncle of mine died a couple of months ago. It was something I knew would happen soon the last time I saw him. He was very sick and thin... quite not like the sharp-witted, opinionated man I knew from way back.

I have witnessed many deaths in my family but I don't think I'll ever get used to it. Every death brings pain and a sense of loss that I think never really goes away. Nevertheless, each death also makes me appreciate every single day that I have in my life - crappy or not; and makes me more conscious of how much attention I'm giving to every single person that I love and care for. Carpe diem!

I went back home to the province to attend his funeral and as is always the case, funerals also become reunions for relatives and friends that we don't keep in touch with so often; and a couple of friends from way back came to say their condolences.

I am always happy to see old friends and am always interested in finding out how they're doing in their lives. Unfortunately, like everyone else, not all of my friends are living happy, problem-free lives. One has filed for an annulment and another one is having problems with her husband.

While we were sitting round the table and we were talking about our lives, I just realized how incredibly grown up we are now. Sometimes, I still think of old friends as they were when I first met them in grade school or high school. These women whose marriages were falling apart used to play with me in school - we made our own paper dolls and staged our very own beauty contests for paper dolls during breaks. Now, we're playing a different game... a game where real hearts are broken and dreams are dashed.

Death and marriages falling apart... ah well, these are all part of life and of growing up. If I only knew, I wouldn't have hurried to grow up soon.