A Celebration of Life

Grandmother's funeral was Saturday. All of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were able to be there. Many of her friends were there also.

Husband's aunt had called me and asked if I would do one of the readings during the Mass. She said the church could provide someone but it was nicer if family members could do it. I agreed and was given Romans14: 7-12 to read.

Since she had been cremated and there had been no viewing at the funeral home, her granddaughter had put together a montage of photos of her from all through out her life. They had that displayed on a table in the vestibule of the church.

After the service we all went over to her house for lunch. It was nice to be able to catch up with everyone. Her youngest son, who is just a couple years older than my husband, didn't come to eat with everyone. He has been living in Myrtle Beach for awhile until he gets things in order for him to move back to Nevada. His story would take a whole post and it's not mine to tell, so I'll just leave it at that.

After we were done eating we opened a bottle of champagne and had a toast to Grandmother.

Then, we did something that made me feel really weird at first. Husband's uncle told everyone that we could go through some of her stuff and pick out things we wanted. Grandmother had a collection of Santa Claus's that she had in a display cabinet year round. So whoever was interested in the Santas could take a number and we would go in order picking one, and so on until they were all taken. I wanted something to remember her by,  and wanted my children to have something of hers, so I took a number! I ended up with six and told the kids I would put them out during the holidays at our house and then when they had their own homes they could have them. 

I did get one thing for myself! There was a really pretty wood carving of the Virgin Mary holding a baby Jesus. It was my turn to pick, so I picked it! If I could get my photos to upload I would show you how pretty it is!

So when the "lottery" started for making your picks, I walked over to husband and said "this makes me feel weird" and he said "yeah, I don't like it." But then as things progressed and I looked around I realized that it was probably a pretty good idea. Husband and I are the only grandchildren close by, the others live in Charlotte NC, Washington DC and Miami. So it was a good idea to let them pick something they would like when they were all together. I don't know when or if we will all ever be together again in Myrtle Beach. And I think Grandmother would have wanted everyone to get what they wanted instead of it being donated to goodwill or something. 

 (Photo taken at her 90th birthday party, she was fooling around and said she would just sit on husband's lap for the photo!)

 

So it actually ended up being a very nice day. Sad, yes, but she lived a full and active life and is a role model for us all. We could all be so lucky to live as long as she did and be so independent! Someone made the comment that she had recently told them that she hoped she didn't get sick and infirm in her last days because she wouldn't want to live like that. Well, I think she got her wish!