I really don't think I like being on the second generation...

Tweet

As we get older, it's a fact of life that our older relatives die. You know, they're they ones that are (normally) a branch or two higher than us on the family tree. Well, our top branches are getting pretty close to me and my generation and I really don't like it. On my mother's side of the family, I am on the (precarious) 3rd branch down. My grandmother is the only person left of her generation and once she goes I'll be on the 2nd level. I'll be the next-oldest generation on the family tree! I'm already there with my fathers side of the family, but my grandmother has always given me that "cushion" feeling by being on that top generation. Well, today we lost another member of the family on the 2nd generation. My uncle - my mother's brother - passed away after complications from routine surgery. It really makes me see how close to being the oldest family member I am. One of these days I might be in my grandmother's place, the oldest person in the family, with no one of my generation left. I was talking to my cousin - my mom's the oldest kid so everyone was calling her all night, I just went over to help out with the phones. But, anyways, I was trying to remember the last time I saw my cousin. He doesn't make it to the family reunions, so I'd say it's been 6 years or more since I saw him. I'm sure he vaguly knows who I am, but we were not close growing up - in age, location or in knowing each other. It really just hit it home a bit harder for me how important it is to make it to as many family gatherings as you can. The last time I saw my uncle was last summer at our family reunion. We're in the midst of planning our next one now and my cousin is planning on coming now. This getting old thing is for the birds!!!!