“I Don’t Want to Sit In the Front Row Anymore”

By Diana Walker

Death and dying amongst family members can be traumatic, endearing and “spirit” filled, thus providing many lessons learned even as adults. We are not alone as we walk this earth. Our love deepens with each loss. Join the author as she shares many tearful and light hearted occurrences in order to endure personal loss.“ I have learned so much in the past few years. I feel as though throughout my experiences I have worn many hats, medically, legally and especially as the oldest child in an Italian Catholic family that I would like to share with all of you”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Aug 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483414416

Book preview

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Chapter 1

My Family

Y ou should write this down! I am hearing this sentence in my sleep, literally.

I guess I should start at the beginning. I am a 50 plus teacher’s aide with 3 grown children (and I use the term grown loosely) and I have two beautiful, smart, funny grandsons. Sounds pretty normal right?

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I come from a typical Italian, Catholic family. Both sides of my family’s ancestors actually came from Italy as teenagers.

Oh! Am I married you ask? Yes I am. However, I have married the father of my children twice. That’s another whole book. Let alone a chapter in this book. But we are fine now.

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My dad was a hardworking man, always providing for his family. He had a sister and two brothers. His sister Mary passed many years ago, and his brother Larry has also passed. He has one brother left, Uncle Joe, and he is simply adorable. I hope I can add a picture of him to my book so all of you can see exactly what I am talking about.

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My mother came from a larger family than my dad’s. She had 8 brothers and sisters and all have passed except another Uncle Joe. Ironic aye? This man is a total opposite of my other uncle Joe. He’s a much larger man and how do I put this? You never have to pry out of him how he feels on ANY subject in question. I love them all!

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So, by my family’s description thus far you are getting the idea that many family members have passed and are without question in heaven.

As we said our goodbyes to one family member after another, the larger family gatherings and traditions seemed to be diminishing.

Chapter 2

Aunt Clara

B ut it isn’t until after Aunt Clara became ill (my mother’s sister) did the story I want to tell you begin.

It was Memorial Day weekend and I was traveling alone to a small Pishner reunion,