Sometimes you just don't know what to say.

Two days ago I was awoken by a telephone ring, and it was Auntie Pauline on the other end, an aunt from Sarnia. As soon as I passed the phone to my mom, I knew the news wasn't good. My childhood piano teacher and auntie had died after a long battle with stomach cancer. Having just got off the phone with her eldest son, Tim, I am just at a loss.

What do you say to someone who has just loss his mother? I'm sure he doesn't want to talk about it...or does he? Sometimes talking about it can be cathartic; sometimes it can be a burdensome reminder of the pain. For myself, ever since Thursday, I haven't been able to stop remembering Auntie Margaret. Memories start coming out of the woodwork, and I realize just how many great memories I have of her. She was a great lady who had a profound impact on my life. You know how you can be taught piano by various people throughout your lifetime, but there will always be just one piano teacher for me. That's her. She taught me my work ethic, to not give up when I get frustrated with a piece, that practice (and drilling) makes perfect, that even if you don't understand cantonese - you definitely understand what she means when she's yelling at you in it. :)

I'm comforted by knowing that she is in a better place, as cliche as that sounds. In light of facing her own mortality, both her and Uncle Lai came to know Christ deeply. And now, she is in peace. She is in a place where her body no longer hurts or aches. Where she can be free. God bless, Auntie Margaret - I hope you're making music among the angels right now.