Winter is tough on old people.....

[Patler]

I've always heard and noticed personally that the winter months are especially hard on the very elderly, even if they do not go out a lot.

We just received word of the third death of a close family member since Thanksgiving. All three were in their 90's. All three were living in their own homes until just weeks before they died, so all had good, long and healthy lives. Mentally, each was still sharp. Two just suddenly said "It's time." and died within a few days from nothing in particular. One suddenly didn't feel well, was diagnosed with a very late stage cancer, and died the next day.

We knew it was special to still have each of the three with us. It's funny, I don't feel especially sad that they have died. At their ages, you come to expect it, so there really is no shock even in view of their seemingly robust health. I very much feel the loss of connections to the generation before me. I come from a large family tree. Only two members known to me remain from the generation before me. Have not had much contact with either over the last 40 years, due to location and opportunity.

It makes me realize my own mortality, even more so than death-is-near situations I was in as a young man.

Thanks for letting me ramble........................