Uncle John

Travelling in Maine this weekend in search of family. Uncle John passed away last week and my cousins held a memorial up in Bangor. Dad and Connie went together and I met them there. It was really good to go and see everyone!! Sad on so many levels;

Alcoholism - this illness has devastated my family. Isolation and inertia reign. Obesity and unhappiness rule and alcohol controls it all.

Uncle John - haven't seen him since Dan's funeral. Nor any of his children. Whoa. I guess a lot happens in 10 years.

The saddest part - Aunt Nancy, who happened to be living in the SAME nursing home as her long time ex husband John, died the night before his memorial. Whoa!! So essentially those kids just lost both their parents at the same moment!! Yikes. I just felt really sad around the whole thing; not being any part of their lives in any way over all these years. Now I know I've been busy and they aren't a part of my life either, but still the whole loss was hard.

Maine - This place is awesome. Driving is beautiful, hiking is fun, people are great. Can't wait to come back but I've got to get home for now.

Freeport, Bath, Bangor, Belfast, Bar Harbor. Phew and time to go!