It makes me sad to think about it...

But, I have come to realize I'm getting older.

I don't actually begrudge myself getting older. And, while I am a bit wistful while realizing that each of my little babies is no longer a little baby, it also isn't what makes me sad.

It is the realization that my grandparents and great aunts and uncles are getting older.

I was around 17 years old when the first of my close relatives passed away -- my paternal grandfather. Before that, although I had already bitterly dealt with the passing due to a car accident of several young men from my high school, I hadn't had to have a relative that I knew pass away.

As crazy as it sounds then, I didn't really have to deal with any more close relatives passing away from a long time after that. But, then, it started happening. In the last ten years (or maybe even less), Eric and I have lost several of our great aunts and uncles. In 2007, it hit even one generation closer, and I lost one of my aunts (my Dad's older sister). And, this April, Eric's Grandmom passed away -- the first of one of our grandparents to pass away since I was 17.

Last week, we again found ourselves with a loss. My Great Aunt Phyllis passed away (my maternal grandmother's sister). I went with my parents to her funeral this past Monday, and I suspect that there was hardly a dry eye in the house, particularly while both Amazing Grace and I'll Fly Away were sung.

It is with sadness that I say good bye to Aunt Sis. And, it is with extra sadness that I know that this is not nearly the last time we'll be needing to say goodbye to this generation.