It’s Thursday already? How did that happen? I won’t be blogging tomorrow (more on that later) so here’s my very Random 5 for this crazy week:
1. My supervisor’s mother passed away last weekend after a lengthy illness. She was in her eighties and had lived a long, full live. I’d met her a few times and she was a neat lady, so I was genuinely sorry to hear the news. Stopping to buy a Sympathy card I suddenly had the thought that I should buy more. I shushed the thought, bought the card and left the store.
2. The next day we received the shocking news of a young relative’s passing. Background: Hubbs brother passed suddenly 29 years ago, at the age of 29. He left behind a little girl, Hubbs’ niece, who was 4 then. The situation was tragic and life-changing and Hubbs talks of him often but always with that sad “what-if” look in his eyes. Well this little girl’s Mommy went on to marry and have another family. It was her son, niece’s brother, who passed. At 28. The similarities are just too close and when I told Hubbs the sad news, his eyes clouded over and his face went grey.
3. Feeling helpless, I did what I do in these situations – cook, clean or organize. Since I was going to be on the road today, I knew cooking was out of the question. And people wouldn’t be gathering at our house, so cleaning wasn’t necessary. So I sent a private FB message to all the cousins and aunties and uncles to let them know the news and to rally support for our girl and her family. Soon I found myself talking to the funeral home staff who said “sure you can bring food here for the funeral luncheon, c’mon over.” We have a big family and all they needed was for someone to circle the wagons: casseroles and desserts are being prepped as I write this.
4. Yesterday afternoon, I went to the Funeral Home, met the Director, and loaded up the kitchen with food I’d bought: pre-made deli salads, veggie trays, chips, dip, rice krispie bars, punch and more. I heard a door slam and found myself alone. In a Funeral Home. Let’s just say the speed with which I exited could have qualified me for the Olympics!
5. On my way home, I made one more stop and this time I bought 3 Sympathy cards. Why? Not to tempt fate but my experience is that these things always come in threes.
What is your family’s way of coping with grief? Do you band together? Cook, clean, organize? Have you ever been alone in a Funeral Home?
