Makes you think.
******UPDATE*******
Jordyn our grandson got through his op o.k. Bruised, sore and grumpy but it's over! They couldn't take all the birthmark as they thought so it means another op sometime. The first op removed quite a bit but then we've realised it had grown (or stretched) again, maybe as his face grew and the scar settled. I said goodbye to him yesterday, and he looked at me with his big brown eyes and told me he was coming back! Aww - I think he was worried. Casey was a good little man - but as I thought busy!! An earlier start than normal to our day at 6.15am as well and as I found 19 month little boys don't go well in an office. He has now gone off with our daughter's friend and we are hoping Jordyn and his mum and dad will be home later today.
It was a real heart wrenching funeral and just so touching. Tears were rolling down my cheeks for most of it as I would think most others. Our nephew married his wife, who was a bit older than him, knowing that her illness would make her years numbered. They really did have a special relationship – so it was just so hard seeing him. We were proud of how dedicated and devoted he was towards her, also helping with nursing her. Before the service started photos were coming up on a large screen of her life, flickering back and forth from her childhood, school days, good healthy times and the hospital days. (She planned the funeral herself so this would have been what she wanted). A few moments really got to me, such as her sister standing up and saying that the pair of them (nephew’s wife and herself) had written a song together and she was going to sing it on behalf of her sister, they called it "Forever young" (beautiful voice as well) The song was written in two parts – one from the sister and one part from our nephew’s wife with a verse for our nephew – her ‘soul mate’. There was a guard of honour for her from the rugby club. (She followed every game as her husband is in the senior team) Also at the graveside right at the end her mother read out a message from her daughter to everyone. All who spoke said how much she fitted into her life. Someone said that everyone she had met she left a little bit of her with them. I really agreed with that, a really special person. Life doesn't seem fair.
MM is from a large family, being towards the tail end of eleven!! I counted up the other night and there are thirty grandchildren, and a rough count of thirty eight great grandchildren (and I would think plenty more to come). Amazing to find most of the cousins were there, the only ones not there were a couple overseas and two from up north. Sad way to catch up with each other but was also great to see them all together.
Our son headed back to the South Island on Friday. It was also great to be able to see him for a second time this year. That little bit of water can be expensive to cross.
Yesterday we had friends come and have dinner and watch the rugby, it was good to just wind down. It was a real last minute invite so threw in a roast, piles of roasted pumpkin, kumara topped at the end with red pepper, onion and cherry tomatoes (looked really colourful!) Had broccoli and a dish of mashed potatoes with garlic and parsley. We finished just in time to watch the game – well done AB’s!!! This afternoon we had a family member’s silver wedding anniversary, was open house all day, so we spent a couple of hours there and then home for dinner.
The week ahead is looking busy with our little grandson heading off to Wellington for his op on Tuesday, leaving me babysitting a little 19 month boy who has suddenly gone all shy, hope he will be ok.with us. It’s only one night so I’m sure we will cope, but I’m a bit worried just the same. He makes us laugh as now if he sees people he’s not sure of, he hangs his head and shuts his eyes, and seems to block them out!! Looks quite cute. His mother is still really bothered with the arthritis in her hands (both of them now). Just a waiting game until she gets the visit into the clinic. Meanwhile I took a visit to a health shop and bought a couple of herbal remedies, one included fish oil, you never know until you try, and the anti inflammatories the doctor prescribed don't seem to help that much.
Today at the anniversary someone commented I looked like I had lost more weight. I haven’t!! My eating has been diabolical all week!! By diabolical, I’m not back to my old ways but really eating too much and not always great choices and just being careless. I feel bloated and not really happy with myself, I’m scared to get on the scales – maybe I won’t until I’ve had a few days being back on track.
Just like to finish with a thought from a reading at the funeral. It was called ‘The Dash’ saying that on a headstone, the date of birth showed and the date of death – with a dash in between, the dash signifying the life between birth and death. It emphasized that the important thing was how you spent “That Dash” – really makes you think. I want to make the most of mine!
11 comments:
Yes funerals are such a sad way of catching up with family but it seems to happen more and more often especially in larger families (I'm one of 6)... but I do like the idea of photos being up on a large screen of the deceased as Jude had organised that for her funeral as well which was fantastic to see all the good times they have with friends and family.
I hope you have a good week - am sure you will be right back on track in no time at all.
Take care and big hugs
When you were talking about funerals it brought back a lot of memories of my Dad's and I am glad I got to say goodbye.. Sounds like the funeral was her and that is the best thing because it makes people realise how much she meant to them.
Big hugs my friend.
Love CM
Oh I hope your grandsons op goes well and he recovers quickly! Take care!
I think you have a Dash to be proud of!
I know funerals are supposed to be a celebration of life, but they make me sooooooooo very VERY sad! I really dont cope well with them at all. The Dash ... makes a lot of trivial things seem really insignificant doesnt it? *hugs*
Glad little Jordyn's op is over and he is OK.
Yes, lets make the most of our "dash"!
Just read about the funeral and sat here crying. It sounded absolutely beautiful and so very personal and meaningful. Glad teh op went ok for your grandson, what a worrying time. Don't worry about your eating at this time.
Great but sad post. Am all teary - how am I going to answer the phone? I hope everyone's "dash" is long and wonderful too. Take care
:o)
Your posts about your nephew's wife have been very moving. She sounds like a lovely person.
Re the arthritis - my 24 year old daughter has developed arthritis in one of her fingers (she'a a student architect and uses her computer mouse a lot) and a colleague at my work recommended Glocosamine Plus with Chondroitin and Vitamin C - which seems to have helped quite a lot. It works as an anti-inflammatory but without the side effects. However, I have to say that I also have an arthritic finger and I don't feel it's helped at all - though of course it might be worse if I hadn't been taking it. Much sympathy to your daughter, anyway. I know how you feel, as a mum. You just want to protect them from everything. My son also has an arthritic hip, developing this after a sports injury at 13. However, at least they're otherwise healthy, for which I'm very grateful. Best wishes to you all.
Glad the op went ok, poor wee guy!
I think your nephews wife was a wonderful woman to plan her own funeral. I think I would like to do that. To take the presure of those that are mourning. But it does sound like a lovely and fitting way to say goodbye to such a special lady.
I am so glad J's op went well. He is a resilient little fellow isn't he :D
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