If deaths come in threes...

...Then there's one more left in the cycle. My dad's brother Harry died today. We got the call at my cousin Jackie's house, where we were celebrating her mom's (my Aunt Dolores) birthday as the party was winding down. Jackie called me into the house to tell me so I could support her while she broke the news to everyone.

Mom fell apart and I sorta freaked out because it's like the first time I've seen her lose it since dad died a month and a half ago. So I called my brother (John), who'd likely just gotten home, told him the news and asked him to come back. Of course, mom regained her composure for the most part by the time he returned, but I wasn't so sure she would. After making sure mom was doing alright and was able to drive home, John was going to stop by Gary's house (it was Gary's dad who died) to see if he could help them get ready to make the trip up north.

I had my Aunt Penny's phone number on my cell, so I called her to tell her the news. That would've sucked anyway, but she lost her husband in February of 2002. She's the youngest of the Kersting kids; dad was second youngest and Harry was the one right before dad. How sucky is THAT? Penny's one of my favorite Aunties and her daughter (my cousin) Robin is one of my best friends. I really should call her tonight...

So, I'm likely to be making a road trip to Northfield (which is near Eau Claire, which isn't that far from Minneapolis) this week.
I DID want to get out of town for a few days, but not for a fucking funeral.