Well, there was no way I could possibly get through this weekend without a little blog therapy, which I tend to try first since it is so much better for my bank account than retail therapy. As most everyone knows by now, from a couple of status updates, our family suffered the loss of not one, but two loved ones over the weekend. I have not cried yet, which seems odd. But honestly, I haven't had time. I have written before about how I can see myself "growing up" sometimes, and that really freaks me out. I still feel about 21 sometimes. But after this weekend, I am 100% sure that I am a different person than I was 10 or 15 years ago.
We'll start with a story about my lovely Aunt Sue, who, by the way, I was named after. (Brandi Sue...) She was my Mom's only sister and I have always had a very special place in my heart for her. Since she and my Mom were the only two girls out of six children, they had a bond that was just so special. They tend to be on the receiving end of a whole lot of teasing by four brothers. Never a dull moment at those family get togethers! I grew up looking forward to spending time with all of them and my cousins. When I was around 12, I started asking Aunt Sue if I could do her hair. She even let me cut it! Can you believe that? She must have been crazy. But I did it. And I didn't do a bad job, either. From that day on, occasionally, I would style, cut or even perm her hair over the years. We never lived close to each other, but if she knew we would be seeing each other, she may ask me to bring my scissors and a curling iron. I never, ever minded doing her hair. In fact, I loved it. She always said, "Oh, that's real pretty. Yes, yes. That's just real pretty." That eventually turned into, "Oh yes, yes. No one else does my hair like you do!" Now, if that isn't just the nicest thing to hear. Her compliments were so sincere and encouraging. Now, I will admit, she was extremely easy to please. And I really don't think I did anything any different than anyone else. But when you are 12....it was a big deal!
Last Friday, Aunt Sue passed away. She was in the hospital for a little over a week, fighting a pretty painful infection. She wasn't strong enough for surgery, so we knew that it was pretty much a waiting game unless there was a miracle. I don't blame God for wanting to bring her home....I would want her with me, too. She was an amazing lady who loved everyone! Incredibly loyal to her family and always willing to share anything she had.
When my cousin, her son, asked me to do her hair for the funeral, I didn't even hesitate. Although I had never done anything like that before, in fact...I am really pretty wimpy when it comes to things like that...I still didn't even hesitate. I thought, "There is no way I am letting some stranger do her hair. They would have no idea how she liked it." So that was it. I would definitely do it. On Saturday, the funeral director called me to let me know I could come at 2:00 pm to bring her outfit and do her hair.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I was. And the details of the actual process will have to come in a later blog. My posts are long enough, so I won't bore you in this particular entry. But I will say that it was an experience I won't forget. I don't think I ever knew what formaldehyde smelled like. Until now. And the whole process was completely different than I expected. I knew it would be emotional. I did not expect to feel so good afterwards. Don't get me wrong.... I would much rather her still be alive and laughing with me. But I am so glad that I did her hair. I think she would have wanted me to, for one. And also, I kept thinking the whole time about how I wanted to make her look as pretty as I could. And she did look pretty. She looked just like she did about 10 years ago, before her health started failing.
I guess to go back to how we just change as we grow older.....there is no way I would have been brave enough to do that 10 years ago. I'm so grateful that our lives evolve over time and allow us to experience so many things. This is definitely one of those experiences that I won't forget.
Tune in soon to read more about our emotional weekend. Surprisingly, its not a story of sadness and gloom. More like encouragement and gratefulness!
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