Is it wrong to say that? Shocking? I had fun at my mom's funeral today.
I'm a little shocked to hear myself say that. But it's what mom would have wanted.
The service was beautiful. The overwhelming turnout of friends, family and co-workers was truly touching.
The champagne toast given at the luncheon captured my mom's memory perfectly. Although, dear cousin David, it's andouille sausage not andale sausage. (Maybe you had to be there, or maybe it was all the wine and champagne, but it was one of the many moments that elicited way too loud laughter today).
The afternoon was spent visiting older family members that couldn't make it to the service. Honestly, I wasn't thrilled about going at first. But, I'm so glad I did! The stories they shared and the things I learned!
- It was "scandalous" that my mother got married in a mini skirt! Even though it was 1968 and the height of hippy flower power, how dare she show her legs on her wedding day!
- My mom played the guitar. Really? Check out this pic of mom rocking the Joan Baez look.
- I did not dream the gaudy late 1970's silver Christmas tree. My cousin has the same memory.
- Mom sent weekly pictures to my dad when he was in Vietnam of her growing belly when she was pregnant with me. He finally came home and saw me when I was 6 months old.
Tonight a few of us cousins met for dinner. Again, the wine was flowing and we were breaking bread together. And we laughed. And laughed. And laughed so loud the tables next to us were looking at us.
It was fun. And exactly what mom would have wanted.
Hey Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear of your mother's death, I've been following your posts.
It's not shocking at all to say that. Funerals are so weird like that. You lose a loved one and all the hurt and shock that comes with that, but you remember, and with those memories, come laughter and tears. It's really a weird time. When someone dies and you have the service, you see relatives and friends that you haven't seen in a while and you catch up and remember old times and laugh and cry, and talk about your loved one and share memories of them. I think that its just part of a process of healing. Your mom would be glad that you enjoyed it. You are mourning her passing, but more than anything, I know that she would want you to celebrate her life.
take care,
Sherri
we spent the evening after my mom's funeral eating and laughing, I think it is what every mom wants...to know her kids, and friends and family have great memories, that they can still laugh,
ReplyDeleteand love!