Life and Death

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here, we should dance.

I stole that saying from someone else's blog, because it made me smile. It sounds so much cooler than the saying about making lemonade when life gives us lemons.

Today was a lemon day. Ralph worked all weekend, and last night at 11 p.m. realized that he had no idea where his dress shoes were. He and Steph searched his closet, and even looked downstairs. No shoes. All he had were sandals and his work sneakers, neither of which were appropriate to wear to a funeral. So he ended up at Walmart at 4.30 this morning, buying shoes. While he was there, he bought 3 pairs, and some socks. He was home by 6, and we were eating scrambled eggs by 7.

The funeral home had done a wonderful job with Uncle Frank. He looked very thin, and so resembled his father! Family members, friends and acquaintances wandered in and out of the viewing. We saw cousins that we only see at funerals- how sad is that?

Then it was on to the church for a mass. As I said to Heather, the fact that the roof didn't fall in when we entered was a good sign! The mass was the usual pomp and ceremony that a mass is. Not being catholic, most of it makes absolutely no sense to me, but I can go with the flow with the best of them. Then into the limo, and off for the hour ride to the cemetery. It's a big old cemetery in Yeadon, which is past Philly airport. It had huge, gorgeous monuments, and is beautiful.

Then back to our home area for a funeral luncheon. It was nice to sit and visit with the family, and wind down. Back home, and naps all around. The 95 degree heat didn't help anyone.

So now the ceremonial part of death is completed, and the practical part kicks in. Ralph and his mom and brother have their work cut out- cleaning and disposing of the trailer, and all the paperwork that it takes to complete the circle. And the mourning.

Rest in peace, Uncle Frank. We'll miss you. And we're happy that you danced while you were in this party that we call life.

Holly