Just wanted to share: My cousin crossed over last night, so I’ll be attending her funeral on Tuesday. Since it’s out of town, I’ll be driving tomorrow, and returning on Wednesday, along with my sister and our parents. Spousal Unit and the Child Units will be staying here.
Before you ask, she was 52 years old – 3 days younger than me. She had Alzheimers, on top of Down Syndrome. She lived a full life, and proved all the doctors from early in her life wrong. She was a Special Olympics medalist (55 medals over the course of her life!), and learned to do a job and earn a small salary.
Lori was a loving and giving soul, a happy person most of the time. She loved hugs and flowers and spending time with the people she loved most. She loved swimming early in her life, and once she got into the water, it was hard to get her out again! Later, she went on to become a gold medalist in the International Special Olympics in powerlifting. She appeared at the end of the film “The Ringer” winning the gold for powerlifting. She was gifted in ways that few are, and was an inspiration to those who knew her best.
She was ill for quite some time, and spent her last weeks in hospice. She was deeply loved and will be deeply missed. I like to think that she is now healthy and glowing with joy for an eternity filled with crystal pools for swimming, and rows of racks of weightlifting gear.
Swim on, Lori. We’ll meet again some day. For this reason, I’m not sad today. I love you.