Front Row at Funerals -

 And just like that, the 7 Walker siblings are sitting in the front row at funerals and burials. The image that comes to mind is that of manufacturing with one batch of a product all sold out, no more of it, and a newer, better, glitzier, yet similar, product taking its place; my generation is next - to be sold out, replaced, removed, one at a time. 

Sitting in that front row at Mom's service two months ago really brought to the forefront that my generation is now the oldest generation, only one Aunt left of the Walkers, and we're up. Facing our own mortality, and questioning - am I doing all I want to be doing? Is this all there is? How do I want to live "the rest of my life." Time feels much shorter, figuring out connecting, looking for dates to gather, renewing and building relationships with siblings and cousins and old friends. Holy moley - 

If staring my own "next" in life isn't enough, a week ago I received a call that my cousin, the 60 year old son of the last Aunt, Gary Walker, had died. 

One down, and although he isn't the first (two older cousins passed away several years ago), he is the first of my era, and younger; he was at Mom's burial, he was happy, we were making plans together, looking forward to seeing each other "next year." 

Time flies on wings of lightening, we cannot call it back.