My sister called me last night to inform me that my Aunt Iris (my father's sister) has passed away. I don't know much in the way of details; she wasn't sick as far as I know, but as she was eighty-mumble years old, it's not exactly what you'd call a surprise either. But she was bright and perky until the end.

I'll miss her; getting to visit with her was always a genuine pleasure. She had both a warm heart and a sharp wit -- while she could be devastatingly funny, she was never mean, and I've always admired and tried to emulate that. I once told her that she was the only relative I had who really understood me -- in response to which she promptly folded up a straw wrapper and stuffed it in my ear. :)

She left behind a clan of children and grandchildren who adored her, and I'm sure they'll all miss her even more than I do. But she had a good life, well-lived.

So thanks for making the world a much better place, Aunt Iris. We'll all miss you.

-The Gneech