My cousin and I carried her downstairs in her wheelchair to join us for the meal. How can someone who was always so big suddenly be so light?

She couldn't sit at the table, but nestled in the comfy chair nearby. She ate a small piece of goose and laughed at our jokes from next door.

In our minds, we recalled the years when hers was the loudest voice in the room. Usually, with cutting wit and a sardonic repost.

When asked how she was, she announced:
"well, darling, I'm clinging to the wreckage"