Today was my dad’s funeral. As we sat in the car, ready to head to the church, I noticed that even through the cold, insistent rain on this gloomy day, there were a bunch of daffodils, blooming gloriously out of season. A full two months early. How? Somehow that seemed such a beautiful, hopeful, thing.
(Somehow, I don’t really want to write about the funeral itself. It was performed well, attended well, the kids did well, and I couldn’t have asked for anything better or different. It just feels really.. personal. I appreciate everyone who came, all the relatives, even two of my friends from work.)
After the ceremony, there was a reception. It was nice, food provided, and space to talk to friends and relatives. They had a DVD playing with the slideshow I’d helped put together. They’d had it at the visitation, too. I thought it was a nice touch. I’m sure it got folks talking and telling stories. 🙂 The kids went a bit insane at the reception, but I can’t blame them too much. It’s got to be a decompression reaction from all the seriousness. At one point I found them all dog-piling on Brandon (who dealt with this much better than most guys would! I should show him this whenever he says he’s no good with kids. Crazy talk, he’s awesome with kids.)
After the reception, a smaller group of us made our way to the graveside for the committal. It was biting cold, windy, and rainy. The funeral staff made us as comfortable as they could, and umbrellas and blankets appeared to help us. The kids were good and respectful, I was so thankful they were. The flowers’ bright colors just shone. We said our last goodbyes, and made our way back to Sue’s house. Exhausted, but somehow still going, we arrived to find an amazing feast laid out, thanks to Sue’s church ladies. Wow, do they go all out. I changed clothes, and helped myself to a heaping plate of awesome. And then I did it again. Finally, as folks were leaving, I made the mistake of sitting down. That’s when the tired came. I just sat and stared, watching the kids playing. We made it through a whole lot, these last few days.
I’m not sure why Kendall is so enamored with those infant toy links (is she regressing?) but those are her thing lately. Constantly, today. Of course that makes the other kids get interested in them too. Back at the house the kids dressed up with them, went fishing with them, all sorts of things. Baby toy things. Really.
Sue found this small ceramic jug that belonged to my dad. Evidently it was pretty important to him. No one seems to know where it came from or its significance. I’m sad I can’t ask him now. One day I think I’ll write little notes on the backs and bottoms of important things, like Grandmother Rose did.
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Our sympathy that your Dad passed away much too young.