Sunday, September 28, 2014

Funeral Parlor Visits Suck...

...especially when for family, loved ones and friends. Then again, the people who come make all the difference and today, even though a sad event being it was my mom's wake, tuned out to be a joy of sorts. While not as many people showed up as I kind of, sort of, would have expected a few to several years ago. In fact not one person right around her age from her friends or relatives was there. Mom was born on Christmas day 1924 and that was almost 90 years, or a long time, ago. That made me realize, she had outlived everyone of her friends or relatives that were about her age; that takes some getting used to. So you may be wondering how come I thought it was ad but also a joy; that was because of who did come.

As for the visitors, one of my cousins, from my father's side, showed up and that was much appreciated. Our families were not very close but I hooked up with him again several years ago - it's a small world. I like to think we have a good relationship now. Also got some other visitors, folks I used to work with, and that was much appreciated - all good friends. There were also some good friends of mine from Glendale (the old neighborhood) who showed up and that was excellent. Also met some more or less distant relatives, for the first time, but who had known my mom. Was nice to meet them and nice of them to come. In addition, a friend of my wife from her job also came by and that too was much appreciated.

Of course, my sister and her son were there and her now ex-hubby also showed up (which was very nice). Then there was me and my immediate family, and my in-laws on the wife's side. My sister-in-law, who is brother's widow, was there. So too were her sister and brother-in-law (again very nice of them). All in all though, the place at times seemed kind of empty. I still could not really get over that none of my moms old time friends or relatives were there - not my godmother or godfather, not my stepfather, not my great grandparents, not my grandparents, not my brother even not that POS father of mine. It is still hard to accept she was the last of her group and that she even outlived my brother. Then again, even though it looked  bit empty, I think maybe at least some of the old timers were there in spirit. As my mom used to say, the older we get the more friends and loved ones we lose. She had no more friends to lose - I guess it was her time to go and meet them in another place.

Anyway, as for the folks who came, if there is a God I hope that he (or she) blesses them all. They are all good folks, those who showed up today either in body or in spirit. If there is not a God, then let me just say that they have blessed themselves by being good folk.

Now I have to hit the hay, the funeral is tomorrow. Goodnight all.

All the best,
Glenn B

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