A death and a birth in Paris on the same night

I only have a minute but I wanted to share what's been happening.

Both were anticipated. My sister-in-law's mother-in-law (Daniel's sister's husband's mother) died last night of breast cancer. She had battled this disease for many years and we've known that she wouldn't win this round for 2 1/2 years. It's been awful for them, up and down, she really put up a brave battle. Last night the nurses warned them that she was near the end. She had that distinctive breathing that my mom told me about and I told Daniel, the nurses know...

They were right. This family has suffered a lot of loss and pain and I'm torn between knowing how hard it's been for them and relieved that Solange is no longer suffering.

Solange had two grandchildren, my children's cousins. On Daniel's side of the family, also in the early hours of the morning, little Yona was born in Paris. They aren't related to Solange but my children's cousins lost their grandmother and gained a new baby second cousin last night.

This adds to a whole clutch of new second cousins my children now have. We've had three births recently, all second babies, not much older, all in Paris. Good thing for the TGV (the fast speed train which now means Paris is only 2.15 from here)...except, they're talking another strike and Daniel might drive to the funeral. Of course it would be luck that today is a Jewish holiday and so they can't organize anything till tomorrow...