Blessings

Yesterday was the memorial. It was a happy memorial for the most part. The kidlets were great, 4 of the 5 grandchildren did eulogies. My eldest used his radio voice and spoke clearly, Lola was emotional and poignant in her remembrances, my youngest started off with a shaky voice but left them laughing at the end of hers, Em cried at the beginning and strengthened at the end. I cried tears for their bravery and sorrow as they read. The 5th grandchild sat next to me during the eulogies and while he didn't speak we know how he feels. He's a quiet sort unless he is in his element. Memorials aren't necessarily in either of our comfort zones as far as speaking.

The entire family got up and sang "I Shall Be Released". I've never been to a funeral where the family gets up and sings but it was totally right for us to do it. We were like the Von Trapp family...only fatter and grayer and not quite as cute. But we were loud. :-) The husband played uke, the son played guitar. We're a musical theater/music family. Oh we don't all sing professionally but we've all been onstage singing in our lives. It comes from the MIL I think.

The MIL had a VOICE. Not just a good singing voice but a fantastic singing voice. I'd always heard she did but until you hear her, you have no idea. Luckily the family has a 78 that she recorded when she was about 17 or 18. She sings the irish song: "Loch Lomond " and a Puccini aria. It was played at the beginning and end of the service.

Pastor Dave (my BIL who is married to my husbands sister) sang The Lords Prayer a cappella. Beautiful. He also spoke about the MIL, my only wish is that I'd thought of asking him to include some words from me. But the truth is everything that everyone said up there could have come from any of our mouths. So I am content.

We got a lot of comments about the music. For some reason some people had no idea that most of the family sings. My son got a lot of comments because most everyone there had never heard him sing or speak publically. My daughter too for her eulogy. The other kids probably got comments but they were probably told to their mother.

The church was pretty full, almost to the rafters. While we were singing we got to see everyone who was there that was pretty cool.

Afterwards the fellowship hall was filled and it took a long time for people to get inside out of the blazing sun. A lot of relatives, a lot of friends, both hers and ours.

I was really proud that our friends and family got to see how it is with our family. We are danged close which I think is a rarity these days. It's really a testimony about my MIL and FIL, the importance they put on family. I hope my kids realize what they have, parents, aunts, uncles and cousins that are exactly in the same groove as we are. We are blessed.