and the world spins madly on
I really don't know how to even begin.
I've been living with my aunt and uncle for the past 9 months. And in that time period, they have become my main family. The people I come home to, eat dinner with, and hope to make proud every day.
Yesterday, around 4:45 am, my uncle passed away. It was the most chaotic thing I had ever experienced. I woke up around that time to hear my aunt speaking frantically on the phone and clearing the hallway. I came out of my room to see her giving my uncle CPR in their bed. She was scared but was keeping a very level head. She told me that paramedics were on their way and asked me to open up the door and unlock the gates. I ran down in my pajamas and out into the cold, waving a flashlight to help guide the fire-truck and sheriffs into our narrow court. They followed me up the stairs and made their way into the room. They began to take over for my aunt and administer CPR...minutes went by and he was not responding. They stuck in an IV and tried to jump start his heart with a defibrillator. Nothing. a few minutes later, the Ambulance arrived with a stretcher. They asked my aunt about my uncle's health. He had aortic stinosis...a heart condition that made it difficult for oxygenated blood to circulate through his system.
By now, my aunt was on the phone with my Uncle's cardiologist. The paramedics asked if my uncle had a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) on file. He did.
They ceased the CPR. They told us they were sorry.
The Sheriffs questioned my aunt further and took down notes. They all finally left.
The rest of the day consisted of hundreds of phone calls from all over the world. My Uncle Everett was a highly respected man with tons of admirers and friends, "daughters," and colleagues. He was a Teacher, an Artist, sculptor, amazing Gardener, and lover of all things from travel, to cooking, animals, and nature. He was also a loving husband and best friend to my Aunt Petal for 35 years. They built their house together from the ground up and shared amazing moments throughout their life together. He told her he loved her every day.
By these last few years of his life, he had grown frail and small. But he had the kindest and strongest heart I have ever known. He was a true gentleman and had a sense of humor all had grown to love. He taught me so much about life--since I was a little girl. He used to read me stories and tuck me into bed when I came to visit. He never got tired of reading me "Babar." It was my most favorite book.
His last day spent on this earth was a wonderful one, to say the least. He admired his beautiful blooming garden, and the three of us had gone to get some baby chickens from the hatchery. (My aunt and uncle have raised chickens for many years). My Uncle Everett and I spent hours holding them and laughing about how small and adorable they were. For the very first time, I made him lunch and the two of us ate outside and listened to the blue jays flying from tree to tree. He had one of his favorite dinners that night. And when he finally went, it was quick and painless. I think his heart just got tired. And it was time.
Although he was 83 (would've been 84 on the 30th of april) he had the spirit of a much younger man. He didn't let his health problems stop him from living a happy life. He couldn't see very well, and was usually short of breath, but he never let on if he felt defeated.
Oftentimes, when people have reached that age, we just kind of accept it easily, knowing that they lived a pretty long life..and just coming to terms with the fact that old age will finally take its toll. But as strange as it may sound, nobody was expecting this. We all thought he had a good 3-4 years ahead of him.
I'm so grateful that his last day was an amazing one. He was truly happy and the weather was perfect. He deserved to be at peace, and I believe he was. I think its so wonderful that we went and got the baby chicks together. To me, It symbolized the beginnings of new life and new beginnings. Even though an older life has passed, his spirit continues to live on in theirs. I'll take good care of them and make him proud.
I just regret that I didn't spend more time asking him all the questions I had about his life: his experience in WW2 as a fighter pilot, the artwork he's created that is featured in many places around the Bay Area, what his favorite color was...
I wish I had told him more things about myself, my life goals, my feelings on different writers and philosophers, etc. I wish I could have gotten to really know him and been able to appreciate everything he's accomplished.
I guess now, I should be grateful that such an amazing and inspirational person was even in my life. And really reflect on the impact he has made on so many other lives. Somewhere out there, I have a true Guardian Angel who will still help me make smart decisions and I'll still hear his laugh when I freak out about a spider in my room.
The house isn't the same without him. Nothing is, really.
He will be greatly missed, by anyone who has ever been privileged to meet him.
I'm thinking about you, Uncle Everett. I love you so much, I wish I told you that more. I can't wait until I finally have the chance to ask you all about your life again and hear your jokes that I never quite understood.
Rest In Peace Everett Turner
April 30th, 1924--April 10th, 2008
I've been living with my aunt and uncle for the past 9 months. And in that time period, they have become my main family. The people I come home to, eat dinner with, and hope to make proud every day.
Yesterday, around 4:45 am, my uncle passed away. It was the most chaotic thing I had ever experienced. I woke up around that time to hear my aunt speaking frantically on the phone and clearing the hallway. I came out of my room to see her giving my uncle CPR in their bed. She was scared but was keeping a very level head. She told me that paramedics were on their way and asked me to open up the door and unlock the gates. I ran down in my pajamas and out into the cold, waving a flashlight to help guide the fire-truck and sheriffs into our narrow court. They followed me up the stairs and made their way into the room. They began to take over for my aunt and administer CPR...minutes went by and he was not responding. They stuck in an IV and tried to jump start his heart with a defibrillator. Nothing. a few minutes later, the Ambulance arrived with a stretcher. They asked my aunt about my uncle's health. He had aortic stinosis...a heart condition that made it difficult for oxygenated blood to circulate through his system.
By now, my aunt was on the phone with my Uncle's cardiologist. The paramedics asked if my uncle had a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) on file. He did.
They ceased the CPR. They told us they were sorry.
The Sheriffs questioned my aunt further and took down notes. They all finally left.
The rest of the day consisted of hundreds of phone calls from all over the world. My Uncle Everett was a highly respected man with tons of admirers and friends, "daughters," and colleagues. He was a Teacher, an Artist, sculptor, amazing Gardener, and lover of all things from travel, to cooking, animals, and nature. He was also a loving husband and best friend to my Aunt Petal for 35 years. They built their house together from the ground up and shared amazing moments throughout their life together. He told her he loved her every day.
By these last few years of his life, he had grown frail and small. But he had the kindest and strongest heart I have ever known. He was a true gentleman and had a sense of humor all had grown to love. He taught me so much about life--since I was a little girl. He used to read me stories and tuck me into bed when I came to visit. He never got tired of reading me "Babar." It was my most favorite book.
His last day spent on this earth was a wonderful one, to say the least. He admired his beautiful blooming garden, and the three of us had gone to get some baby chickens from the hatchery. (My aunt and uncle have raised chickens for many years). My Uncle Everett and I spent hours holding them and laughing about how small and adorable they were. For the very first time, I made him lunch and the two of us ate outside and listened to the blue jays flying from tree to tree. He had one of his favorite dinners that night. And when he finally went, it was quick and painless. I think his heart just got tired. And it was time.
Although he was 83 (would've been 84 on the 30th of april) he had the spirit of a much younger man. He didn't let his health problems stop him from living a happy life. He couldn't see very well, and was usually short of breath, but he never let on if he felt defeated.
Oftentimes, when people have reached that age, we just kind of accept it easily, knowing that they lived a pretty long life..and just coming to terms with the fact that old age will finally take its toll. But as strange as it may sound, nobody was expecting this. We all thought he had a good 3-4 years ahead of him.
I'm so grateful that his last day was an amazing one. He was truly happy and the weather was perfect. He deserved to be at peace, and I believe he was. I think its so wonderful that we went and got the baby chicks together. To me, It symbolized the beginnings of new life and new beginnings. Even though an older life has passed, his spirit continues to live on in theirs. I'll take good care of them and make him proud.
I just regret that I didn't spend more time asking him all the questions I had about his life: his experience in WW2 as a fighter pilot, the artwork he's created that is featured in many places around the Bay Area, what his favorite color was...
I wish I had told him more things about myself, my life goals, my feelings on different writers and philosophers, etc. I wish I could have gotten to really know him and been able to appreciate everything he's accomplished.
I guess now, I should be grateful that such an amazing and inspirational person was even in my life. And really reflect on the impact he has made on so many other lives. Somewhere out there, I have a true Guardian Angel who will still help me make smart decisions and I'll still hear his laugh when I freak out about a spider in my room.
The house isn't the same without him. Nothing is, really.
He will be greatly missed, by anyone who has ever been privileged to meet him.
I'm thinking about you, Uncle Everett. I love you so much, I wish I told you that more. I can't wait until I finally have the chance to ask you all about your life again and hear your jokes that I never quite understood.
Rest In Peace Everett Turner
April 30th, 1924--April 10th, 2008