May 3

Today would've been my sister Paula's 55th birthday. Happy Birthday, Sis. I'll always keep alive the memories of the lady with the big smile, the mind filled with bad puns, and the love for all things feline. She introduced me to the Beatles and Elton John, and went with me to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show for the first time. And the second. And the third. Paula was a good spirit, and the world is a better place because of her far-too-brief time in it.

Ironically, the final court documents showed up yesterday, showing that her estate is now officially closed. The probate papers have been filed, the creditors have been paid, and that's it. What was a human being 9 months ago is now just a record in a court file. Ashes to ashes, dust to digital ones and zeros.

I was Paula's chosen executor for her estate, a task I thought I wouldn't need to perform for another 25 years or so. Shows you what curveballs life can throw at you, doesn't it? Being executor wasn't so bad - it took a lot of coordination and some really good legal help, but otherwise it was mostly a matter of filing papers, signing checks, and putting all of her final wishes in a row. Bing - bang - done.

But today I'll try to remember Paula the person. That's what really matters.