Wow, that was quite an experience. It would probably take me 7 days to tell you guys about the 4 days across the country. That's how packed every minute was. All day Thursday we flew and drove (as we did on the way home Sunday). Friday was the "wake". That morning as I was getting ready, I realized that my nice shirt I brought wouldnt button on the top, so a tie would not work at all... had to drive to the local Walmart in this New Hampshire town I wasn't familiar with... that was stressful. (Not to mention that it seemed like I was wearing a giant sign that said "I'm from California, stare at me")But I found WM and a nice shirt for my overgrown neck, and we arrived to the wake on time.
Lisa's family is Catholic (non-practicing). They are also incredibly entertaining. They had to warn others who would attend that "we don't grieve like others do, consider yourself warned." They told others not to be offended if they seem "less than reverent". And at what would be an otherwise sad time, I think I laughed harder than I ever laughed in my life ! Her brother, whom I met for the first time, was the funniest, quick-witted person that my wife warned me about. As was her other sister who was also amazingly hilarious as always. Don't get me wrong, there were genuine tears when they got there, but they quickly turned to tears of cheek-aching laughter.
The actual service part was short, with the "father" reading from the boring and theologically incorrect last rites book... not to mention the blurbs on purgatory for those who weren't strong catholics. Sheesh.
Then there was the American Legion, a group of men in their 100s with their funny hats who can barely walk, who came in and read from their Masonic-like book about "our brother being amongst the quiet patter of Angelic feet in the presence of the great Master, blah blah blah". Lisa's family were red in the face trying to choke back laughter.
Saturday we cleaned his house and were able to donate several boxes of food and bags of clothing to homeless.
I could go on, but suffice it to say, we had a nice visit with her family.
Thank you all for your prayers... they did avail.
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Subject: Dad's funeral... 
Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:32 am
