I think the point is ....how could anyone be so detached to keep a hair appointment when their child is dead and their child is the reason other parent’s children are dead.
As I think about it, I can see this happening.
I can see my sister coming to help me.
I can see her driving me to the hairdresser and sitting with me while I got my hair done.
I can see her going through my closet and helping me gather clothing for the funeral. I can see her ironing my clothing. I can even see her driving to the store to purchase dark hose so that I will look presentable at the funeral. I can see her polishing my black shoes for me.
On the day of the funeral I can see her physically helping me dress in my undergarments, my dress and helping me arrange my hair and fasten my jewelry.
I can see my sister literally holding my hand and walking me through all of the physical, normal steps of life as I get ready to go to my son’s funeral.
All of that may seem strange to you, but my sister would see it as a duty... to help me with every little step, from seeing that my hair was done to making sure which ring I wore on which hand and that I was carrying my small black bag in my right hand. Because she would be thinking to herself that the entire situation was so terribly awful and painful that by goodness, she was going to make sure I got through every little step, A, B, C, through Z, that I did EVERYTHING, and that I got through it without losing my mind.
This is how my sister would help me cope. She would see it as a duty.
Now, in your mind, this is foreign and strange. In my sister’s mind, this would be natural. It would be her role, one sister helping another get through the grieving process.
To each his own.
The woman was in shock. When you are in that kind of deep shock you just go through the motions. I went to the polls and voted for Reagan before going to my 18 year old son’s funeral. Did it mean that I cared more for Reagan or for politics than I did my son? No, I was just in shock and it was election day.
Shock? Dead Mom Walking?
We don’t know a damned thing about her so I don’t think anyone needs to judge until they walk in her shoes.
Only my two cents.