Farewell Bente

My cousin Bente died this morning, killed in a car accident as she drove to work. She was a few years older than me, and I shall always remember her as I first met her, a beautiful Danish teenager, so vital and smiling. Full of life.
I shall miss her.

Edited to add.

We attended the funeral, Philip and I. Mette stayed at home as she is so pregnant now that movement is becoming difficult. The funeral was hard to bear, but I'm glad I went. My family has been almost rent asunder by conflict in the older generation and its always hard to be with them for any period of time. Fortunately, we cousins, the younger generation have not inherited their ire, so we can sit and talk like decent, even caring human beings. Some of my cousins are odd balls, but for the most part they are funny, caring and nice people whose company I enjoy.

Bente was one of the best though, and as an older cousin, always ready to take initiative and to ensure the drama of our parents never interfered with our gatherings. When ever there was any hint of conflict, Bente would scold the offending party in a way that put every one at ease.