Thursday, January 31, 2008

Memorials

I have only attended four memorials/funerals so far in my life. The first one was for a coworker when I worked for Choice Hotels, International. He died unexpectedly, and his memorial service was in a funeral home. There were so many people attending, we all sat in different rooms and the service was piped in over the loud speakers. To say it was weird is an understatement.

Then one of my good friend's Dad passed away with a massive heart attack. He was sitting watching TV one minute, and gone the next. We accompanied them with their family to the Outer Banks of North Carolina where they were going to put his ashes in the Sound. They had a disposable urn, and dropped it in the water near a pier. The next day they went back just to see, and the urn was still there. Obviously the "disposable" urn was having issues dissolving in water. My friend had to use a stick to break it up a little.

And then my grandfather died, and I attended his funeral. My grandparents owned a dairy farm for many years, and during the funeral, my brother and I had random people who had worked on the farm come up to us and tell us they remembered us when we were little. I didn't remember any of them.

Lastly, my Stepmom's Mother passed away. I spent that funeral in the hallway as Ashley was just a baby and would not stay quiet for the service.

Today will be a first as I am playing with the community band I play bassoon for in a memorial service for a fellow band member. She passed away from cancer way too soon. And she loved band. She played flute, was always enthusiastic, helped out when we needed help. We are playing one of her favorite songs - Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

18 comments:

Laura said...

You are in my thoughts during this difficult time.

May your friend's love for music flow through your instrument.

May you both find peace.

Thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

How sad. I'll be thinking of you.

SJINCO said...

What a nice tribute to have you guys play for her one last time. I'll be thinking about you.

Anonymous said...

A couple of weeks ago, I went to a funeral of a dear friend, who at way too young (28 with a 2 year old little girl) died of cervical cancer. There were tons of people there. Then, Monday I ran into her husband. It made me sad again. Unfortunately, that's not the first young friend of mine to pass. Hope you have a good day.

Wendy said...

So sorry to hear about your friend. I love what you are doing for her memory! Thinking of you...

Edie said...

That's so sad... makes me want to cry. :( I hope everything goes ok today.

CPA Mom said...

It's so hard to go to funerals of the young. My prayers are with you and her family.

Misty said...

this is so sad... I am very sorry to hear it.

Beccy said...

It sounds like today is going to be difficult for you. I wish you strength.

emily said...

I am so sorry for the loss. I will be thinking of you and the family today.

Rachel (Crazy-Is) said...

I am so sorry. I'll be thinking of you.

frannie said...

I am so sorry for the loss of your friend

Jill said...

4? just 4? i've been to 4 for people under or around 40, forget the old people, that's a ton more. wow... just wow... it's crazy..
the 4 young ones?
classmate, 7th grade, heart defect
classmate, high school, drove drunk
cousin, late 20s or 30s, hospital malpractice
cousin, early 40s or late 30s, breast cancer metastized....

too many young ones.. i'm so jaded and bitter already... its pathetic.

Kelly said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss...you are in my thoughts & prayers.

ChrisB said...

That song will be a beautiful tribute to your friend.

Unknown said...

I'm sorry for your loss, I'm sure you are affected by it too. I hope it all went well.

Choice Hotels - we stay in them enough to be a I forget what it's called, platinum reward card thingamajobber. We stay there a LOT. But the free nights are nice cuz we earn a lot of those too. :)

my4kids said...

I'll be thinking of you that must be hard...
That is one of my favorite songs also.

Daisy said...

Such a sad time for you -- bringing music into the ceremony will help you remember the positive even as you grieve. My thoughts are with you.