Auntie Pee Pee

Now, I should clarify- I have several aunts. One I've never met, but the rest I really truly do love. But Auntie P and I have lots of fun together. She's had quite a go of it. That's why I'm shouting out to her.

Back in 1973/4, a very young P got pregnant. I don't know very many of these details. She doesn't talk about it and it was only recently that mom told me any of it. It's pretty terrible and sad. Back then, that was a horrible thing, to be pregnant so young. My grandpa wasn't the best back then, he was pretty drunk often, and P was the youngest of 5 kids. At this time, grandma was working. I am not sure how pregnant P was when she went into labor, but I think it was a little earlier than normal. Not too much, I don't think...but the story goes that Grandma was working and couldn't just leave the factory, so when P went into labor, she didn't get taken to a hospital or anything.
I don't know much after that, but I know where Dawn Michelle's grave is in the cemetary.
I just simply can't imagine going through it. Especially as a girl that young. I'm sure it was horrible for everyone.
She married John at some point, and I'm not sure that was very good either. My family is NOT like Cullen's family- they don't talk about stuff. I have decided that I think that is a total and complete shame. It really is. The marriage wasn't good and it ended, which was good. She met Dennis, who was the all time best ever. He was around as long as I can remember. The didn't marry, possibly because P was jaded from John. She has many, many, many wonderful attributes, but letting men get close enough to her that way is one thing she hasn't been good at. Dennis got closer to her than anyone else has yet. He could do anything, he could fix anything, he was super funny and fun to be around. He was family.
He started getting horribly blinding headaches.
Brain tumor.
At the very same time, maybe a little before even, Grampa (lived up north too) started going downhill. I was 15 at the time, and plenty submerged in my own pile of doo, but I will never forget the year that mom was gone more than she was home, helping Paulie and Carol and Gramma deal with Grampa being in the hospital, and Dennis having treatments. They didn't tell Grampa that Dennis was dying too. In fact, I can't remember clearly who went first. Dennis did, I think. He woke up and asked to have his hands washed, and they washed his hands for him, and he died, blissfully and finally left his broken body. That's right. They didn't tell Grampa. He'd know soon enough anyway.
Mom came home one night, and called Michelle and I down. She told us that it was almost time for him to go. The last thing I'd said to him was I LOVE YOU. That made me so happy. It was a hard night. That was the first person that I loved who died. And it was okay for him to go, he'd lived a long life, it's just the missing. The fact that things have to be different after that. And seeing my Grandma sad, and my aunts, my mom, my uncle. You know the drill. So within a very short amount of time, my beautiful aunt lost her long time love (20 years), and her dad.
And she keeps on going. OH, I know she hates it sometimes. Hated having to keep going on, and on and on and on. But she DOES IT. And she is just so damned funny. She is SO bright of a light, and she's one of those people that you can just BE with. We don't even have to talk. But it's so good when we do. I love her so very, very much. I'm not sure I've known someone who has worked so hard in her life, she works so hard! And somehow finds time for everyone else, too. She has 3 jobs. If I win the lottery ever (remind me to buy a ticket), God...I would have such a good time taking care of her. I know, I know. Money doesn't buy happiness, but I'd love to let her stop working and let her pick what she wants to do, and when, and where. As a matter of fact, my other aunt, cousin and Grandma would all be SUPER FUN to love on too.
HOLY SHIT! I just totally realized something. I have another aunt with the same story! I have to do hers, too. Sorry. :)