i just don't want to wake up and realize that maybe I'M the dead one..(aka Don't wanna be Bruce Willis.)

I have an inordinate number of cousins. (This is what happens when your mother was one of nine children.) In fact, my grandfather always claimed that each time he hung his pants on the bedpost his wife had another child.

Most of my family members have discovered my blog. Oh sure, I might email links to them EVERY SINGLE DAY in an attempt to bring them into my crazy life, but I’ve come to find out that they actually read them. (Who knew?)

My cousin Cassie is eleven years younger than me. She has navigated through some rough waters in her life, and has come through the rapids with a smile on her face and a lovely family to show for it. Each time I see her she is full of joy and laughter, and I am reminded of the wonderful loving spirit that weaves its way through my mother’s family.

I recently posted the story about our Baba, and perhaps some of my visits with dead people. (M. Night Shamalamadingdong has yet to contact me in regards to his next movie.) I don’t talk about these visits with my extended family, I simply write about them for a billion strangers to read.) I’ve often wondered if I am the only one with this little gift from my mother’s side of the family.

I don’t wonder anymore.

I received an email from Cassie last week. It said simply this:

Vodka….I couldn’t let this day go by without telling you how much joy I get from reading your blog, and seeing those great old pictures. I am flooded by great memories from my childhood, and it always reminds me about the family and how much I miss everyone!

I don’t think I ever told you the story about the night seven years ago that I gave birth to Sam. I was rushed by ambulance to the Smith and Wesson Hospital – it was about a half hour from our house- and my husband couldn’t go with me. The doctor and nurse had to be in the ambulance in case I delivered, and there wasn’t room. Sam was very early, and mom was out of town and couldn't be with me. (I’m not sure if you know that I am horrible in stressful situations. I don’t handle pain or stress very well at all.)

When I was in the ambulance there were two other people with me. They kept telling me to breathe slowly and that everything would be okay.

It was Baba, and your mother - Aunt AnnaBelle.

I never, ever told anyone except my mother, for fear that they would think I was crazy! I have been so grateful to them for being with me that night when I needed them the most. I just felt you needed to know that.

Love you!! Cassie.

Enough said. (Pass the tissues.)