Mom in the church of her life and her death
Funerals, of course, can never be a joyous time. Yet last night during visitation and today during the funeral it was not overly sad. My mother lived a full rich life – not without hardship and grief, but always with hope.
Little thoughts and memories came out from cousins that I had not seen in decades. They all, it seemed, thought my mom was special in one little way or another.
As weddings are fewer than funerals these days, we all came to one consensus: we best meet again as we did when we were young. I think it will happen, as scattered about as we are.
So tomorrow my two sisters and I have to find homes for all of mom’s stuff. I think it will be an easy task. I will keep a wonderful solid mahogany bedroom set – something near impossible to purchase today.
And I have her mother’s two photo albums – many photos of folks whose identity we will never know. Over time I will scan them all, and each cousin of the Smith Clan will have a digital copy to pass on, as many of the originals are fading.
I think when one looses someone, the mourning process begins well after the funeral. Thankfully, the process heals one as well.
It will be a long drive home.
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Dear Mike: Thank-You for the wonderful tribute and the beautiful pictures and text of your mother’s life! She was a wonderful woman, who indeed did share this with those around her!
Thanks Barbara,
It was good to see you after too many years. I made it home safe and now life goes on. I’ll be back in both spring and summer. so that now that I’ve got your email, I’ll let you know and we’ll get together for lunch or dinner – to catch up with the last few decades!