the family is shaken. it's lost part of its roots. its trunk even.

my uncle dave has passed away.

he was the eldest of the five Brine children. a formidable family no doubt.

my best memory with dave was when he replaced my mom as 'early morning caretaker' just after being let out of the ICU post transplant. Dr. Yee checked in on us playing cribbage at 5:30 a.m. and told me I was allowed out on a pass (for the first time with new lungs!) We didn't have to be told twice! Dave had me out the door in 2 hoodies and red slippers before Dr. Yee changed his mind. We drove in the little MGB down to Joe's diner. He ordered me every type of breakfast food I could possibly want and his jaw dropped as I managed to actually eat the bacon, eggs, pancakes, sausages, ham etc... Uncle Dave was a supreme court judge here in BC and as we inhaled cheap coffee he explained the entire judicial system to me. He spoke in terms I understood and it started to sink in exactly why he was in the position he was.

Wise and practical and always listening, my uncle Dave was a family man and it is his family that I send my love to now. He battled cancer for 10 months and died on friday.

i'm sorry i havn't posted since then. i didn't know how to acknowledge it but couldn't think of anything else to say. it's not really my story to tell and i wish i could do more for my cousins and aunt robin.

my weekend has been tumultuous.

kassia arrived just as we got the news about dave and had to be picked up by quinn and rachel. the girls came over to look after me as my parents joined my aunt at their place. hunter and annie arrived by friday night as well.

i'll post more about the weekend and the gala and today's mail when i get the energy. it's been a rough couple of days healthwise.