Of Low and High

The Low:
Less than two weeks ago, I learned that our kitties' veterinarian was ill and taking time away to be with her family. Sounded serious. Later in that week, I learned it was cancer and she was already on hospice. On Monday of this week, I learned she had passed away, and today was her memorial service which Nick and I attended - a huge outpouring of the community. 20 days from diagnosis to entering eternity. There's still stunned disbelief. She was younger than I. Her cancer was very aggressive. I know no other details than that. She was a wonderful, wonderful veterinarian and cared greatly for her kitty patients and their human "parents". While I only knew her from visits to her office, she was warm-hearted, kind, patient, and just one of those souls that makes you feel like you're family. She is missed, and will continually be missed.

The High:
Though that might eventually be debated by some. My daughter called the other night. She said she had recently submitted her DNA to the 23andme folks. She checked the day she called me, and discovered she had a message from someone of whom he and she shared 25% DNA. That means, a half-sibling. She asked me if I knew anything of this; specifically as to her dad having a child when he was pre-20s. She's excited and not at all upset with him, just surprised to find this out as it has never been mentioned to her. I confirmed that when her father and I were married, he had shared that he had a child but he and the mom had parted ways. I knew/remembered nothing more than that. I felt it was not my secret to divulge. I have no animosity toward my first husband, he's a good man, and has been a good father.

When I spoke with her she was still so high from finding this out that she said she probably wouldn't sleep. They have shared a number of emails, but she has not said anything yet to her dad as he was away for a few days. I don't know if this will upset him or not, but she is really, really thrilled to have another brother and to get to know him.