Every time I read that it reminds me of a sentence we wrote some 30 years ago to see which special characters worked in the TI speech synthesizer.
"I will / your neck ( @ noon unless you give me a $ with an * on it."
I think this might be the right room for what I have to announce.
I found my mother dead 6 Dec this year.
Her therapist called me with concerns that she hadn't kept two of her appointments, and that she was not in very good health last she saw her (on oxygen, using a wheelchair).
So, I went to the apartment, and she didn't answer. I called 911, they jimmied the door, and found her decomposing in the bathroom.
I had to identify the body, and I spent the money to have her cremated, and for a few death certificates that I can use to try to tidy up her affairs.
Such as they are... she has no money, and a crazy amount of debt.
So, Merry Christmas, everyone!
Sorry to hear the bad news. Was this your biomom or stepmom?
It was the bio-mom.
I have had even less contact with the step-mom.
I kept relatively vague tags on bio-mom, though. I'd get the occasional Sue-gram and eventually would answer it once I built up the stamina to endure a long conversation with her that could alternate between drama and humor.
Her death has hit me kind of hard, though, considering she wasn't as far into my life as others. I suppose it's simply the fact that she's someone who has been in my life from the beginning, despite its non-ideal nature, and I feel time slipping from me.
Maybe.
Or maybe it's just that it's someone I knew, somewhat well, who slipped away.
I know it's isn't the $10,800+ debt she left behind for her creditors (who likely won't see a dime of it). That women manage to gain a debt from everyone around her, heh.
Even me, as I fronted the money for her cremation, knowing that it wouldn't happen any other way, and she doesn't have near enough money in her estate to cover it. At least I'm not cleaning up her apartment... hoo-boy, but that place was a terrible mess. Cat litter, dead mice, clothing strewn about the place higgledy-piggledy... I fear taking much of anything from it, but I did at least take her purse with the hopes I could find her SSN card in it (it wasn't there). Her ID card had a picture that looked like an emaciated version of the woman I knew, though. That might be why she didn't want me to see her for the last 5 years or so.
Overall, it's been a weird experience, but one I should have been able to predict, to some extent. I couldn't predict my reaction, though. I'm surprised this impacts me as much as it has, emotionally. On the other hand, the death of Melvin's brother has bothered me more, I think. Probably because of the impact that death had on the man's son, which pains me deeply.
I think that has been my sister's concern. She likes to think of me as a sort of Peter Pan, and is afraid that part of me is lost now.
I guess it has received a bit of a blow, but I like to think I'm just irresponsible enough to keep it with me.
higgledy-piggledy... I fear taking much of anything from it, but I
Extra bonus points for use of higgledy-piggledy.
Tell your sister that even Peter Pan needs some time to rest and recover. If you can quote Bloom County that well, then you're just fine.
VEry sorry about the experience for you though. Just keep on, keeping on.
At the very least, I should spend some quality time with the tyke once some of the dust settles... maybe go to the White House and do things that ought to embarrass a man in his late 40s, but instead energizes me. Like maybe singing Dies Irae while juggling lacross balls as the tour guide tries to maintain composure.
...and you have been flagged, good luck on getting anywhere near the White House. (Just kidding, jump over the fence like everyone else)
You are aware that the people's house requires you to get permission to enter. I would contact your representative and hope that his staff cares enough about you to help get you tickets.
>> Public tour requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress.
I got your member right here buddy.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/participate/tours-and-events
Aw... but that's the concern, isn't it? That he isn't much of a tyke anymore.
*puppy-eyes*
Please let him be a tyke.