I'm OK and getting ready for the gauntlet

It has been a couple of weeks since I have posted so you may be wondering if something is wrong. Nope, everything is fine. I am just buzzing around doing this and doing that and generally keeping myself distracted.

The emotional gauntlet is coming up for the next 12 weeks, or at least I am calling it the gauntlet. It goes like this:

• Feb 14:  On this day I proposed and Mary accepted (1996)
• Feb 22:  The Oncologist pronounced "Go live your life, you are cancer free" (2010)
• Mar 7:   Mary's Birthday
• Mar 22:  Mary's symptoms of Cholangiocarcinoma presented while we were in Denver (2009)
• Mar 26:  Mary was admitted to Stanford for the last time (2010)
• Mar 28:  Mary was admitted to Good Samaritan Hospital (2009)
• Mar 31:  We first heard the word "Cholangiocarcinoma" from the Doctor at Good Sam (2009), The Stanford Doctor told me I should "assemble the family" (2010)
• April 4:  Easter Sunday and the last day Mary was conscious
• April 8:  My birthday, our first date (2nd time around), my Mom died, Mary died--And my sister informed me this weekend my Aunt Claire Lamey also died on this day. I just became aware (again) that Daniel, Mary's son, is engaged to Kamie who has her birthday on April 8.  
• April 17: Los Gatos remembrance
• April 24: St Paul remembrance and burial
• May 8:  Celebration of Mary's life at our home

Part of the therapy is to set plans to "get through" tough dates without going into a massive emotional downer.  I have just started working on those plans now. I don't know what they will be but don't be surprised if you find me someplace in the world doing something during the next three months. 

As for Aunt Claire, Mary and I attended a visitation and funeral in St. Paul, probably my Dad's but I really don't remember other than it was at O'Halloran and Murphy (of course) and it was the first funeral Mary attended of one of my family members in the 1990's. What I do remember is Mary and Aunt Claire sitting together for the longest time talking, laughing and telling stories.  Aunt Claire and Uncle John were very much part of my life as I grew up and I was mildly shocked this weekend when Maureen told me Aunt Claire also died on my birthday.  I have since confirmed it via the archived obituaries of the St. Paul papers. 

That is all for now.  I hope to write this weekend of my recent activities.
Ciao