A sad, but good morning; a calming afternoon and evening

Monday, February 10, 2014

Today started with me getting up earlier than I have been, to be ready to go to Aunt Dee's funeral with Jean, once she shows up.  Corgan's school ended up being on a 2-hour delay, which kinda changed our plans a little, but the funeral starts at 11, and we can't change that, and we really should be there before it begins, as is proper.  But - we shall see.  She will get here when she gets here, and I must be ready.

I was ready.  She got here, made a potty stop, and off we went.  We got there at ten til - which I thought was excellent time, considering.
The funeral itself was very nice.  It was a Catholic Mass, which, as you know, I am very familiar with.  I sat closer to the front with more of the extended family, while Jean sat further back in a pew with our brother David, his wife Kendra, and their youngest daughter Michaela (K'la).  I found it a very comforting ritual, though I was kinda surprised that our cousin didn't have someone from the family do/say a more heartfelt eulogy.  But, it seemed as though the priest knew her pretty well, and he spoke of her, not in a 'familiar' or personal way, as a family member would have, but in a more general, spiritual way - the way you want your priest to see you.  It was nice to think of someone remembering "you" that way...

After the funeral Mass itself, we had the interment ceremony, even though she (the cremains) can't be buried until the ground thaws a little, just because the two go together, and you can't expect everyone to be able to get together again.  So, we had the words, and it will happen, just not right now.
We then had a luncheon for the family in the church's school lunchroom.  I believe our cousin (Steve)'s wife's family put it together and they did an excellent job.  They was a good variety of food, and plenty of it!  We could choose between a meat and cheese tray for sandwiches, lasagna, macaroni & cheese, chili, salads and veggies, and they had desserts, too!  Oh, we had a great time visiting with family, looking at pictures of Dee's life, and - of course - memories!  Oh, the memories...
At the end, Steve urged us to take food home, as there was plenty left, so I brought some lasagna home for supper, as well as two pieces of pineapple upside-down cake.

When we got back here, Jean and I sat and gabbed for a bit - it was nice, just the two of us.  No interruptions, no distractions, just gabbing on and on and on and on.  We don't get to do that often, and it's kinda eye-opening when it happens, and today was no different.  I always feel different, better - more okay (if you know what I mean) - afterward, and YEP, I did today.  After Jean left for home, I got on the pute and caught up my games and stuff.
When Ron got home, I warmed up the lasagna, we had supper, we watched TV (him as usual).  I got off the pute - were you sitting down? - and worked some more on stitching my quilt.  Yipes - I have now finished seven rows of stitches, and have eleven more rows to go.  Ugh.  Why do I do these things to myself?

I am looking forward to the rest of the week!  Meeting tomorrow night, meeting Wednesday night, then Thursday - a day with Bert and Teresa!!  Ya-hoo!  Supposed to be warm, too - up to the forties!  I have a life!!

I gave MFP a miss today - too much hit and miss with the luncheon.  I feel good, though, about my choices today.  And only the lasagna and the cake for supper.  I'm okay with that.  And I'm planning on riding that damn exercise bike tomorrow, because I will have a TOPS meeting (first one in a month...eeeeeeeee) - gotta be ready for that!