Thsnks @Adge,
@Appleblossom
@Shaz51.
Mum's Funeral went well considering, and a good turnout. Mum had her x6 children there, x4 of her 7 grandchildren, all her x4 Siblings, friends... And Many from Dad's side of the family too (some he could remember). The church ladies put on an amazing finger food lunch, for free, wow! My son stepped up to tge task of writing & reading the Eulogy (& did us proud, everyone was surprised 😁), The x3 able body sons (S1 in wheelchair with MS) & x3 Grandsons were pole bearers. All gently overseen by the Funeral Home attendant. The flowers mum asked me to bring for people to take, were used for those who wanted, to place on the coffin - beautiful idea but not what mum wanted for the flowers she had me prepare (D2's interference). Don't know why i didn't notice / can't recall all happenings, sitting up the front, overcome by the procession i guess, and thoughts of mum giving me careful instructions about where the flowers wete & what to do with them, she was so tired. Reliving the day before when i washed the stale smell off them, hung them in the sun hopinf they'll dry in time, cut each flower to a 5" stem, carefully transported them for mum... and dad. Even the pole bearers carrying the coffin out is a blur.
Mum wanted the scripture passage about "many mansions" read out & the minister turned it inro the perfect Evangelical message (not appreciated by some). Mum also wanted the 23rd Psalm sung by the congregation - after helping dd stand & i sang it out loud, no tears, it helped to confess the words & sing it over her coffin (we were that close). Mum also wanted us to follow the coffin out to the hurst and wave her off. How weird is that, to plan that detail. The minister prayed again but my brother in his wheelchair, pushed by hos carer, raced to touch the coffin in the car & cried and was cut short by some pulling him back 😞 Big bro, first born & mum's older brother seemed to cope least - or better put (expressed it best).
My oldest friend from 250km away came, what a shock / surprise to see her there, it helped so much having 'a friend' there to for me, made me feel safe or something. (having nearly bailed on the whole thing & run away the night before, tjinking i might have to sit alone). We had a slideshow too - it really captivated dad. He seems quite accepting of losing mum. Says "it was a long time coming" (1yr prognosis almost 3yrs ago with mostly good quality of life, for an 83yo). Also, what most people don't know is - that my parents were legally (separated 2006), so maybe that, the dementia...
When we got back to the house, dad, S1 & I all went to bed - crashed for 3-4hrs
Exhausting / hot day.
Bye mum ❤
