December 31, 1962 - March 8, 2008 It's been a pretty hard week. Thankfully, we were so close we could travel quickly and be with family this last week. It really didn't seem real until we got to her house, saw Lou, saw the kids. We all gathered so much strength to get through, to the point of exhaustion, but the pain never really leaves, just subdues. If it weren't for our deadline, we'd probably still be up there, because when the people leave, when the food stops coming, when the house is empty and silent is when things really hit and then settle like the silence: she's gone. The viewing was very hard; the virus took its toll, and the funeral home did the best they could, but it did not look like Kelly, did not look like my aunt. The memorial service was very cathartic; my dad the ever diplomat gave a great talk, along with Kelly's sister, co-workers, friends, and neighbors. There was no hyperbole in their sentiments, and you could hear Kelly putting the
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