34. The Manner of our End.
"Hi Dan, this is Darlene. Can you call me back when you get this message?" New iPhone last week, contacts transferred, voicemails also. There are several I had saved to remember my Mom, who died in March of 2017, and then there was this one from my sister Darlene who recorded those words on July 16, 2017. She kept her voice level, but wanted me to call her back so she could tell me she had been diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer, a death sentence with an appointment in 5 months on December 7, in 2017. Two years ago today. Two years ago today, I was also diagnosed with cancer. At the time, we were still hopeful it was Stage 1 with an excellent prognosis, but it was not to be. Stage 4, with a 3-5 year prognosis, and now 2 years have passed. Several months ago I began planning for my funeral and burial. It really bothered Juli, I understand, but it really needs to be done. I do not want that day to arrive and have her on her own trying to think, "what now?...