h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Vey sad news, coming as it does so near to Philoxi's departure from this World.



'g'

Thank you.

'g'

PC, it is always sad to see the end of a long and productive life. You were lucky to have her, and she was lucky to have a grandchild who cared so much about her.

I think we all begin to expect such a phone call in these circumstances, bit it doesn't make it any easier.

Take care.

Websailor

I'm very sorry to hear your loss PC.

Such sad news. Thinking of you PC and sending big hugs over to you

Hi Websailor, Fizzy, Jemstone and Susanne. Thank you all for thinking of me.

Fortunately we've had some major spring cleaning and some window caulking to do here today (wind-blown rain has been leaking through our living room windows and it brings some yuck in with it). So I haven't been sitting around and moping. By the time my dad arrives, we'll all have our heads together. At the moment, the memorial service is most likely taking place next Saturday morning.

Thank you all for being here for me and thinking of me and my family in the meantime.

Saturday morning, there will be a one-hour memorial service, followed by a simple luncheon. Monday morning, she'll be interred.

My dad will be here next week, apparently my sister and her kids, too.

My mother's already brought up inheritance. My uncle hasn't even got the damned death certificate yet. What an insensitive bitch that woman can be sometimes.

Family...

My Dad's siblings started to fight about my Grandfathers few earthly possessions before the funeral It took them ten years to sort that out...

I assume "best wishes for the funeral" is not the correct way to say it, but what I mean is I hope you get a dignified memorial service where the good things with your Grandmother will be remembered and cherished.

I know what you meant, what words you actually use aren't as important as the thoughts and well wishes.

My mother won't be at the service, there's no way to get her up here. (She's too fat to walk very well so she can't get through the airport terminal to fly, and can't sit for long car rides either) Honestly, I know my grandmother asked my uncle to give me a special necklace of hers because it has an emerald, my birthstone, in it, but other than that, legal details never even crossed my mind.

Some people are kind of goofy, though.

My uncle has requested that the memorial be as upbeat as possible; my gram would not have wanted everyone to go away sad, but with happy memories.

<<...but with happy memories. <<

Remember that during the funeral.

That seems to be the trend now, and I think it is a good thing. A celebration of a person's life, with good memories to take away.

Hope all goes well,

Websailor

Yes, a life that long is something to be celebrated. I'm happy to have had her in my life for as long as I did, and I'll remember all the lovely things she did for me over the years.

Though I haven't seen my dad or uncle yet so it may hit me all over again then. And I imagine again at the interment. But I'll be OK.

Again, everyone's kindness and consideration has been most helpful.

Don't know what to say in these situations. I don't know anyone does, really.



You'r amongst friends here, psychocandy, you really are!



'g'

I echo all that's been said

At least she didn't have to endure too much time in hospital & seemed to have been positive she'd come out & carry on.

So glad to hear that, like my Gran, she helped protect you with her wise words & acions from the badder parts of childhood, she did a great job on that.



zdt

'g'

My gran was from a fairly isolated part of Iceland and there's a lot of sea shanties and fisherman music associated with there. So for some of the music in the service those were played instrumentally because that was her favourite.

In the hands of my uncle and his sidekick, it became poignant and beautiful and kicked us all off in the crying.

I also had to carry the casket and that was something that sort of kept our minds off the occasion because we were all so desperate to get the whole thing right. But when it actually happened it was very hard and I had to really fight to keep it together for the walk out of the church and failed anyway. Still did my role though, even though all I could think was how heavy she was. (We'd been told that with the 8 of us it would be very easy - it wasn't).

You'll be fine PC and even if you aren't nobody should think less of you for it. She was your grandmother and she loved you and you loved her and a few tears only serve their purpose.

Funeral was today. I was OK, till I walked into the church and saw my dad crying. Then I lost it.

Service was upbeat and beautiful, the way Gram would have wanted it. Then we had a nice (not too fancy) luncheon, then went back to the house and munched leftovers and drank wine and laughed and cried and enjoyed each other's company.

Monday is the interment, and then we'll have closure and get on with it, I guess.

Tomorrow's going to be the birthday I've wanted to celebrate the least. My dad and uncle had a cake for me. I love them to BITS.

Going to bed now. For the first really good sleep in a week.

Have a tolerable birthday PC.