Friday morning I got the news that a cousin who is as close to me as a brother was dying. This was quite unexpected. I had spoken with this cousin just a few weeks ago and all was normal.

However, just nine days ago, he was diagnosed with…

…metastatic cancer that had spread to most of his internal organs. I was told that he didn’t have much longer to live — a matter of hours or at most a day.

When I got to the Seattle airport for my flight home early Friday morning, I went to the ticket counter and exchanged my ticket for a new one to head to Southern California, and then back home via the only available weekend return: a red-eye (yuck). Yep, it cost a pretty penny to make these airline ticket changes, but when it comes to family, cost is not a concern. My cousin would have done the same if he were in my boots.

I arrived on Friday about noon, in time to say goodbye. My cousin may have known I was there, but he was in a coma so there was no response. He died shortly after I got there.

Did he know I was coming and hang on to life until I arrived? No, I do not believe in such superstitious nonsense, and I did not call ahead. I just showed up, rented a car at the airport, and made a beeline to the hospital.

I am consoling his sons and family today and helping them with final arrangements for cremation. There will not be a funeral or memorial service, per my cousin’s wishes.

I am grateful in a way that I saw my cousin during a work-related visit to California last year.

This cousin was the second-oldest of all of my 69 first cousins. He was active and healthy, didn’t smoke, and was in good shape. That’s why this cancer situation was so bewildering. And so fast.

While my cousin was 27 years my senior, we became very close during the time I cared for my lovely aunt during her decline with Alzheimer’s Disease. My aunt was this cousin’s mother. My cousin and I would talk on the phone often, and he would visit at least twice each year.

In fact during some of these visits, I would take him for a motorcycle ride. Ahhh… much more pleasant days and fond memories.Life is short: cherish your family.