Dorothy Elizabeth Hull

My Mother's brother found and married a wonderful woman, whom for most of my life, I only knew as Aunt Dorothy. Dorothy Elizabeth Hull, as I knew her, was born on April 21, 1940. She became so much a part of my family that when my Uncle, Robert Hull, and she were considering divorce, my grandparents told her, no matter what happened, she would always be part of our family. They worked through their problems and were married for more than sixty years. I had no idea how truthful my grandparents' promise was, for as dementia was taking its toll on my Aunt and Uncle, I had to take them into my home. I had my house expanded to include a living space for them and took care of their every need. When my Uncle passed away five years ago, I continued to watch over my Aunt. For you see, Aunt Dorothy was my family, and she had no one else to take care of her. As her physical ability to walk safely deteriorated and she was falling down, I had to accept that I needed help taking care of her. The thought that she might be lying on the ground waiting for me to find her, maybe for hours, was too much for me. So, I found a wonderful home where she was watched over 24/7. Of course, I visited her constantly. I was the only one who paid her visits as my cousin had passed away more than fifteen years ago. This meant that I was the only family that she had, alive. When she was taken to the hospital two weeks ago, I visited her, everyday. Because of her dementia, she had trouble talking to strangers, but not to me. I would often explain to people when they asked her a question that it was like an older computer; it takes her time to reply. The last two days that I visited my Aunt Dorothy, she was asleep from the medication. I sat there beside her and talked to her, hoping that she could still hear me and process what I was saying. Then, the call came that she had passed away in her sleep. I miss her to no end. Strangely, I think that I related to her better than anyone else. There is now a hole in my heart that will never be filled. With my Aunt gone, there is only my Mother and me left. My life will be a bit lonelier now, without my Aunt in it, but I know and have faith that one day, we all will be together in glory.