So I’m taking a PTO day today - not having felt too well after a late-night maintenance window for work (I know, 2am isn’t that late for me, but I think it was just catching up with me). And I’m checking emails, and doing the morning check over on facebook to see what’s going on in the world and my cousin Traci is online with a semi-cryptic status line about prayers needed for Kelli.

Now I’ll grant you that after my folks divorce I wasn’t too close to that side (paternal) of the family. But over the last year or so it’s been nice chatting with many of them again by way of MySpace, FB, etc. I’m famously not hot w/ names, but something was ringing a bell. On checking her page I find a link and after some hunting, here’s the answer:

Worst fears of mother, girlfriend prove true

Police: Dad Who Killed Daughter Threatened Suicide Before

The unnamed mother is my cousin, and the Kelli mentioned was her only child. Now I never had the opportunity to meet Kelli, but I’m just shaken to the core. I’ve made travel arrangements already, now just waiting to find out what hotel everyone is staying at.

Traci was my closest and fondest cousin of that side of the family - also being the only one that I was closest to in age (only a few years my junior). I can’t even begin to imagine what she’s feeling. An accident, whatever, would be one thing, but something like this is quite another.

I hadn’t exactly expected to do the paternal reunion this way, but like I told my Aunt, I think my dad and I can hold off on the grudge for the time being. This rather trumps our beef. Just wish it wasn’t under these circumstances.

They’re heading back to Gobles, MI which is where they’d lived previously. Viewing is Friday, and Funeral is Saturday. Gobles, near Kalamazoo. I didn’t even really think Kalamazoo was a real place, more like Shangra-la. 6″ of snow they tell me, 8 degrees above zero today when adjusted for the wind chill.

Yes, I’m just rambling now. Don’t mind me. Just trying to process it…