I got an email from my parents in Australia on Friday saying that my great aunty had passed away. This was quite a shock, seeing as how she was just settling in to a new place after moving out of the home she had lived in nearly all her life.

Although she was getting quite frail, I still hoped we could drop by to visit in a few years time when we're in Australia next. Unfortunately her condition worsened over the past week and she passed away on Saturday (Friday here in the US).

Just the other week another of my great aunties passed away, although she had been ill for a few years now.

In this same email I was informed that another aunt had to have an emergency operation this week! That was scary, but it sounds like she'll be okay. Our hopes and prayers are with her.

With this and other news--not all bad--the past few months have been quite the emotional rollercoaster. I hope now things will settle down and we can finally catch our breath!