Waiting to say goodbye...

I am on forced vacation.  No, I haven't had a meltdown or stress out or gone crazy, I am simply on holidays.
No husband, no son, no car, different city, same state but hundreds of miles from home.  16 hours away by car to be a little more precise. I am in Townsville for a funeral, which isn't until Monday and I am bumbling around trying to enjoy a few days break before it and then a huge drive back home.

Last Sunday night we got word that my Great Aunt had been admitted to hospital and things didn't look good.  We were told it would only be a matter of days before she would pass.  My brother and his wife decided to try and see her before she was gone and flew up to Townsville from Brisbane to see her, unfortunately they didn't get to see her and my sister in law and niece and nephew didn't get to meet her.

It might sound, to some, kind of lame to say that I am heartbroken to lose my Great Aunt, but it is far from lame.  You see, whilst most children grow up with at least one Grandparent who lives relativly close and is invited to do Grandparents things and various milestones, we didn't.  My Dad's parents lived in Theodore (West of Rockhampton - I think) and my Mum's parents lived in Townsville.  However, in Brisbane, we had two VERY special Aunts.  We had Aunty Judy, who is Mum's younger sister, and Aunty Kit, my Grandad's sister.  We enjoyed many, many years of love and laughter with these two wonderful women.  Christmas sleepovers, Boxing Days in New Farm Park and New Years Days at Bribie Island, just to name a few. 

Aunty Kit, decided around 11 years ago that she must be near the end of her life and she wanted to leave this world the same place she came into it - Love Lane in Townsville.  After an extremely emotional farewell from us she went to live with Grandma and Grandad (Mum's parents).  We came and visited when we could, which was few and far between due to finances.  Mum and I drove up almost 6 years ago to suprise her for her 90th birthday. (We didn't jump out and suprise her or anything - you don't want to do that to a 90 year old heart!)  Then after Brad and I were married and we had Asher, we drove up again for a family holiday and to introduce everyone to the newest additions to my life.  Aunty Kit, would from then on always remind me that I have a VERY good man, and a VERY handsome one too!  The last time I saw her was the begining of this year when my Grandad passed away.  Although it was a very sad time, I still was able to sit, talk and enjoy time with my lovely Aunty.  Everytime I have seen her I have said goodbye, knowing in my heart that it may be the last time, and savoured every second.  I still recall telling her I loved her so much and with tears in my eyes, waved farewell to her while she stood on the landing at the Love Lane house in January.

As I sit and type this I can still see her smile, and hear her laugh, and her words of encouragement.  She will be missed and never forgotten. 

I love you Aunty Kit.