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Saddened again

I am saddened

Mary, my cousin, is the girl sitting on the right side. As best I can figure, the picture was taken in 1960 or early 1961. The baby is either my brother of a cousin, born 9 months later than he. My brother would have been missing from the picture in that case. The woman holding the baby is not my mother. Perhaps she is my Aunt, looking much younger and different than I remember her.

    My cousin was called earlier today (or yesterday) by the police who found his sister in her apartment. She had been dead for some days - possibly 5 of them. My cousin's brother (also my cousin) called me this morning to give me the news. The cause of death is unknown. Mary had complained to a friend that she wasn't feeling well about 5 days ago, and said she would call the doctor. The friend received no answer when she tried to call the next day. 

     As sad as this is to me personally, I feel particularly sad for Mary's son. He is an actor living in a different city. I have met him two or three times in as many decades, but I can't say I know him well at all. I rarely spoke to Mary. The last time was my Uncle's funeral 4 years ago. I believe that was the last time I met her son, and likely the only time he'd remember meeting me.

     He, being the only child, and without a father, will have to make all of the decisions regarding the remains and whatever estate there may be. It will no doubt be tough for him, and my cousins. I know that Mary will not be buried from a church, and since her son and at least one of her brothers, live in cities far removed from her home, it remains to be seen what will be done in her memory.

     I will of course be awaiting news.

Why say it when it's been said?

Well, two weeks ago my laptop was out of commission, as was of course my collection of digital images, so it was impossible for me to have posted this picture of my late lamented mother (which I would have done in honor of her birthday.) She would have turned 80 this month, and I have no personal recollection of her looking quite like this picture, but I can attest to the identity of the pictured and to the authenticity of the spirit of the lady in question.

     In a month and a week, it will have been 3 years since her passing, and yes one does still think of her from time to time.

     In other news, rehearsal for 'The Fantasticks' did not go quite as quickly as I'd hoped, but nothing went badly, so that's alright. The car is still in the shop (will be until at least monday). I had arranged for rides for the weekend (to rehearsals) and I notified the manager of Helloween to alter the schedule so that monday morning would be covered. I offered to work Saturday morning instead, which I am sure made her day.

 I was so proud of my nephew when I received this picture of him in his Halloween costume some time back. Partly, this was because I was pleased to see him expressing himself creatively, although I do not think (nor do I believe HE would) that I would normally consider my nephew to resemble a piece of shit - neither physically nor spiritually. I was also amused at how distressed my sister was by the costume and the picture. The nephew's girlfriend was similarly be-costumed as "Pee."

     I might also add that it is the first time my nephew really reminded me of (and I mean specifically his eyes and not because of the costume) my brother in law.

Earliest and Latest on me...

The picture has absolutely nothing to do with this post, but in it are myself (the baby) with my older siblings (except the eldest, who presumably was taking the picture,) my parents, and my grandmother. My other grandparents had all died before I was born, and this one was my father's mother. She died when I was 7 years old. I believe the picture was taken in my great uncle Len's basement.

     Things have been going fairly well this week. I have been working at the Halloween store, and I am in rehearsal for one show. I got the check for the auditions I played for another theater, and I got two functioning laptops on Monday and yesterday. I got paperwork to Lindenwold which will mean I get a half-stipend in addition to whatever I bill them for rehearsals, which might double my pay for their show. I also got a retainer to do another show in three weeks. Also, I am thinking I may get a more permanent position with the company that owns the Halloween store if I play my cards right.

     Of course, my shoulder has been seriously bothering me for the last few weeks (it has been bothering me for two years, but has gotten much more insistent lately) so I suppose I will have to do something about that soon. Also, my car brakes have started grinding a little as of yesterday.

     Oh well - I suppose nothing can be all great. I decided to start manhunting soon, too.