A friend of my sister's came up from the Coast for the wake on Friday night, and said when she walked in that there was entirely too much laughing going on! She also said that Mama would have LOVED it!
I hadn't seen some of those folks for almost 30 years, and there was a lot of catching up to do. One friend from college came and stood next to me in one of the parlors. I looked at him and gave him one of my most gracious GRITS hellos, then glanced away. He didn't move, so I greeted a couple of other folks. I glanced at him again, and smiled, but he still didn't move or say anything. I didn't recognize him until he said "I don't look the same with the gray hair, do I?" I looked at him and realized he was one of my best friends from college!! That happened all night long with folks I hadn't seen for years, and it was truly wonderful catching up with folks.
No one thought all the laughter was odd because we figured if Mama were there she'd be joining in. She loved a party, and being the center of attention, so this would have pleased her!
Thankfully there were no other services in the Funeral Home that night, so we didn't have to worry about disturbing any other families.
All our friends knew that we loved her and that it was truly a blessing that she died peacefully, in her sleep, and before she was completely ravaged by the disease.
The most emotional thing for me during the whole weekend was at the Funeral on Saturday morning. In a Catholic Mass, the coffin is usually covered with a white cloth, called a pall. Instead of the typical pall, the family decided to use the quilt that we made for her for her 75th birthday. It included squares for each of her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. It truly covered her in love on that morning.
Sounds really great SuziQ.
I am glad that you are having a great experience you'll remember. My mom's memorial was a very good party also. One the she would have loved to have been at, including even her favorite dixieland band.
I'm thankful it was a good and uplifting gathering. Prayers are still with ya, tho.
It sounds both wonderful and a bit bittersweet, Suzi. I know that when my Mom died, it was different because she was so young and it was so sudden in a lot of ways...but it was still a good time in many ways. So many people came to her wake who I barely even knew...she was the kind of person who always had a good word for everyone and loved even the unloveable - it was astonishing to meet all these people whose lives she had touched.
OK, I'm gettin' choked up now! ;-)
Enjoy your time, and know that you are still in my prayers.
God bless yuh Suzi... you have poise born of faith, and good raisin'...
glad to have yuh back...