My stepfather passed today.

Mert passed in the early hours this morning. Mom called me at 3am to let me know. I was actually already awake, as I'd been tossing and turning for two hours trying to fall asleep. For whatever reason I felt restless and couldn't get comfortable. I think I finally fell asleep close to 5am.

I texted two of my managers, one at 3, after Mom let me go to call Faythe, and the other when my alarm went off at 7. I explained the situation, and that I would not be coming in today. And then I slept for a couple of hours.

Christy was babysitting today, so that was a blessed distraction. Jenni texted me in the early afternoon asking about my itinerary, so that she could figure out how to schedule her bereavement to best help Mom. She recommended that I contact the airlines and see if there was any way they could assist by moving my flight forward.

I called the customer service number, and spoke with a very kind and understanding woman who helped me to get it set up, and didn't mock or fuss when I cried.

I leave Thursday the 17th, and will be back in Virginia on the 30th. Ashbet we can still get together, we'll just have to figure it out on the fly.

I may not have had much face to face time with Mert but he's left a big impression, based on our e-mails when he and Mom first started dating, and facebook, and the couple of times I did actually get to enjoy his company in person. He was a good and kind man, who was never anything but kind and respectful to me, and he made Mom very happy for about two years. They dated for about a year and were married January 14th 2012. He gave her a full year of marriage, and I think he hung on for just that.

I'm sad that I won't get to see and interact with him in future family events, but I feel blessed having known him.

There has been an overwhelming cry of support from friends and family for Mom, and all of us who knew and loved Mert.