Dana Diane

I have a cousin named Dana. Dana was EXACTLY a year older than me.  We shared the same birthday and had some of our parties together as little girls.  She and her sister lived with us for about a year or two when we were in elementary school.  She was probably my closest cousin growing up.  She even was the one who set Dale and I up and wanted us to meet. And here we are 27 years later!!

The last 15 years or so, Dana has lived in Mississippi so we weren't as close as cousins should be.  But we talked occasionally and kept up to date somewhat.

Well, I got the early morning call that everyone fears a couple of weeks ago, that Dana had died.  We aren't exactly sure why or what happened. She had been sick and went to the hospital and had a UTI.  She called her mom her last night complaining that she was having trouble breathing and hadn't gone to the restroom all day. My aunt told her she needed to go back to the hospital and she would take her after she rocked her grandbaby to sleep. She got the baby to sleep, called Dana and her husband told my aunt not to worry about it-that Dana had fallen asleep so she must be ok. He went to bed a while later and discovered at 3 am that she wasn't breathing and had already passed away. 

My Mom, my brother Brian, Deena, and myself went to Mississippi for the funeral.  Mom actually spoke for quite a while during the funeral.  She did a great job...she is such a strong woman.  Even the funeral home workers came up to Mom and complimented her on what she said. 

We spent the night Friday night in Gulfport and was awakened at 4:30 in the morning by the fire alarm going off!! I have never had that happen before. I woke Mom up and we were quickly dressed and exiting the building.  We weren't outside too long before they said we could go back in. It took me FOREVER to go back to sleep after that. 

Then at the funeral home during the friends viewing, a man started having seizures in the lobby. We ended up having to call 911 and the ambulance came and took him away. It was really wild. 

Dana had a really hard life.  She went through many things that a person shouldn't have to see, let alone live through.  She died too young.....but she is now in Heaven, where there is no more tears, no more pain, and no more suffering.  She is MUCH better off now than she ever was here on earth.