My mother-in-law, Rosie, passed away two months ago. Here is her obituary.

It was unexpected. She was in good health, active, and happy.

I’m grateful I got to know her and she me, and that she got to attend our wedding.

Her favorite restaurant was Bao Bao House, and every time we visited her, that’s where we went.

As a child, she lived in Munich, Germany and she owned a beautiful three-tier wooden German Christmas Tower that stood approximately 30″ tall. Unfortunately, through the years and several moves, the blades on the propeller had been damaged and the tower stood, motionless, unturning.

On a trip to Germany, I found a shop in Berlin that sells only cuckoo clocks and Christmas towers and was able to buy a replacement propeller. Rosie was overjoyed.

Her passing brought vivid clarity to so many memories and feelings attached to my own father’s death — even though it occurred 29 years ago.

Every year I am reminded how short, precious, and fragile life is. When you think of someone, contact them. Don’t wait to tell people how you feel.