I know the feeling.
I’ve also had a 2nd cousin contact me shortly after the holidays. I’d sent a Christmas card to her dad (as usual) only to receive a note from her that he’d passed away a year ago. I’d never really been acquainted with her, but she later contacted me about the family by email, and I’ve been too busy to even get back to her. I just now have. Lots to catch up on. I’m trying to get a few of us 2nd cousins together to go over photos and such. We’ll see.