Great Auntie June...soon, I Must Tell Them

My Gramma was born youngest of 3 sisters in Maine 1914. She'd tell me stories of the 'influenza' and wagons of bodies taken away (she was very young like 4 or 5)...her mother, my great Gram Hattie, being very ill, running feverish out into the snow... An older sister being so ill that her hair fell out. It grew in rather wavy when they got better. Must have had a angel over them.

WW1 was in full swing. Great Gramp, had Alzheimer's, though they called it 'forgetfulness of old age', then, though he wasn't more than 50 ish. He did could not join the military.

Years later, after several miscarriages, Gram and Gramp had my mom. 5.5.50. Gramp had been in the Navy in WW2 and they'd moved from Maine to California, with other relatives. Including my Great Auntie June and Uncle Duke, (Actually June is great cousin, but auntie is what I called her. Gram's older sis, and hubby had June in 1923, and my gram being about 9 thought that she was to be a big sister, not young aunt!) All the same, Gramma and June grew up in Maine both working jobs when of age- gram at nine worked wooling mill and shoe shop after school, and June when older worked jobs as well- depression times were hard. Food a treasure. For gram, a new little niece (though gram thought of her as sister) a blessing.

They carried a close sisterness all the way until gram passed in 2001.

Gram was like a mom for me, I was born 1970. Mom and my dad divorced when I was 2 ish, Gramma and Grampa were there for me and my mom, we lived with them for a bit. Gram was a huge part of my life. She had a most open hearted personality- that didn't want to see anyone have to suffer of hunger or lack of shelter. She and Gramp became quite religious in their golden years.

And of course June! She and her hubby came to Cali in WW2 times as well, and June joined the Marines, Duke- the Army. War over, everyone moved to different cities or towns in CA. Gram and Gramp like N. Cali for its countrysides, apple orchards and mountains. June and other family liked being closer to SF, June worked PanAm (airlines) , Duke ran a hardware supply store.

So- my point of all the explanation. I was close with Gram growing up a troubled tough childhood of my own. Step dad- not good. Gram and Gramp... Safe loving and a respite from stuff I endured growing up shy, abused and a nervous mess. Always happy to travel and stay at Gram's. And then of course sometimes when June would visit from the Bay area (SF) , to see Gram, I loved hearing them talk of when they were growing up, and also amazed of how they survived some stuff that tough financial times would inflict upon souls.

Last Year, about March, I dreamed of June. June, her late husband Duke (rip 2005), Gramma (rip 2001), all in Gram's living room. I seem to be observing, not really actively talking with them.

June walked from living room, into Gram's kitchen. I followed. She sat at the kitchen table, put her hands, palms down on the table and she spoke. "very soon very soon. I need to begin letting everyone know. It won't be long.".

That was it! I woke up and wondered what the heck? Let's see, Gram is passed. Duke is passed. June is 90+ but always busy and not passed. I seemed to be watching. Is June going to die? What was that with her palms on Gram's modest kitchen table?

For reals in March, I called June to check on her. We live hours away, so, phone was quickest. She did say " awe hun, I am tired. Just, oh so tired. I miss 'Dukee' (her husband). I miss Auntie Flo (my gram)." I tried to lift her spirits, but she just said she loved us all so much, she loved her life, but was tired now.

Oof.

My husband called her too, a few days later- and an ambulance was at her little home! She had fainted. A care worker had called 911. I spoke with June as soon as I could when she was awake at Hospital. She fessed up that she was beyond stage 4 breast cancer and it was in her lungs, throat, stomach. Oof.

She passed a week before my bday last year, 2016, April. So the month before, had that dream of Gram's kitchen been a little fyi? What's also weird is as we worried for June, we had no idea my husband had a huge brain tumor that would make its appearance at Christmas time 2016. He certainly had it when June was so ill. We had no idea.

I am not scared of death dreams. I have them a lot. Of myself usually. I just say- "well Divine (God), if something is to be, or fyi to change outcome, then thanks for the fyi." I don't like death dreams, but of Junes, it was more a riddle than death. Though Gram and Duke were (are) dead. And June too now.

But one thing also- when I dream of a loved one who has passed on, I feel like its a chance to see them again. Goodness, Gramp passed when I was 8; so when I dream of him- its like a movie. Him moving, talking, smiling. Sounds perhaps odd to think of it like that, but I do find a bit of peace when a dream happens... Even of my father in law. Mr Mississippi! He was the jokester. I always tell my husband if I dream of his papa. I say any detail I recall of voice, clothing, smiles- anything. Its like a little hug from the Eternal, and though rare, I dream of the dead- usually not scary, I feel thankful to see, those who I love, again:) June now in peace too.