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Grandpa's Funeral
Oct. 4th, 2006 09:17 pmSpent the whole day with funeral stuff.
Had to drive Reet's car. Someone put me down as a driver (eeek!) and her car was set for the Old Man to drive in the first place. So I had to panic and re-adjust everything, not knowing where any of the buttons where. I've never driven her car before and am really paranoid about not knowing where the edge of the car is. Made it ok both from the funeral home to the church and church to mauseleoum. Didn't hit anything, but I really hope they'll never make me drive again.
Church service was weird. I've never done anything Catholic before and it was just odd. Waving some sort of septer thing over the casket and swinging a bowl at it. Huh? It was half church, half exercise club. Up, down, up, down, kneel, down, up.. Oh and on and on. Reet said it was high mass. Bored me to tears, but the stained glass windows were nice. Had no idea on the chants or songs and whatnot. Everyone else seemed to know them. Just kinda stood/sat as appropriate and was quiet. No one smacked me or complained so I guess it was the best I could do. It would have been a lot more realistic if they had actual blood for blood instead of wine. I think that's what the priest's speech was about. He was old and kind of slurred and I didn't catch all of it. Don't get the little styrofoam biscuit either. Tasted like crap and didn't seem to fit in with anything that was said. The Gatorade cooler with a little plaque saying "Holy Water" on it was kind of cute.
Never seen anyone put in a mauseloeum either. That was strange. Whatever his grandfather wanted, I guess. Just doesn't make sense not to return to the dirt and have your body be naturally recycled. Entombed for forever is just creepy. Not for me, thank you. Grandpa had a military burial too and that really made Russ cry. William misted up and walked out quickly after, but Russ was sobbing into Reet's shoulders. Uncle Dick was presented with the flag from the casket.
When I need it, please just burn my body and dump the ashes in the water somewhere - after organ donation or medical school donation as applicable.
Afterparty, for lack of a better word, was at Uncle Dicks. Boring, not a lot of people I knew. Just kept wandering around, sometimes hanging out on the deck with the smokers.
Dropped William at home and bought a new drier. Goldbergs will deliver it on Saturday. Gotta get the old one out on the curb myself. Bought a fancier on than I had, all sorts of buttons and knobs instead of just on and off like the old one. Maybe it will last more than 3 years. It's a .. some brand name. Forgot it now. Frigidaire maybe. Old one was a no-name brand - with any luck the upgrade will be worth it. I can't wait for clean laundry again.
Then walked down to Dr Dexters and checked up on everyone. Kristy is about 8 months pregnant and a whale now. She has really been hitting the icecream. Lots of new faces in the office. Both Dr D and Dr Baker said they wanted me back to work for them. Not a chance in hell. Nice to visit Sandy and even Amy was alright too. Marjorie is still there. Ran into Mighty Joe Ryan - he remembers me. :)
So that's about it. Not a fun day off of work, but it had to be done. Exhausted, even tho I didn't do much of anything really.
Had to drive Reet's car. Someone put me down as a driver (eeek!) and her car was set for the Old Man to drive in the first place. So I had to panic and re-adjust everything, not knowing where any of the buttons where. I've never driven her car before and am really paranoid about not knowing where the edge of the car is. Made it ok both from the funeral home to the church and church to mauseleoum. Didn't hit anything, but I really hope they'll never make me drive again.
Church service was weird. I've never done anything Catholic before and it was just odd. Waving some sort of septer thing over the casket and swinging a bowl at it. Huh? It was half church, half exercise club. Up, down, up, down, kneel, down, up.. Oh and on and on. Reet said it was high mass. Bored me to tears, but the stained glass windows were nice. Had no idea on the chants or songs and whatnot. Everyone else seemed to know them. Just kinda stood/sat as appropriate and was quiet. No one smacked me or complained so I guess it was the best I could do. It would have been a lot more realistic if they had actual blood for blood instead of wine. I think that's what the priest's speech was about. He was old and kind of slurred and I didn't catch all of it. Don't get the little styrofoam biscuit either. Tasted like crap and didn't seem to fit in with anything that was said. The Gatorade cooler with a little plaque saying "Holy Water" on it was kind of cute.
Never seen anyone put in a mauseloeum either. That was strange. Whatever his grandfather wanted, I guess. Just doesn't make sense not to return to the dirt and have your body be naturally recycled. Entombed for forever is just creepy. Not for me, thank you. Grandpa had a military burial too and that really made Russ cry. William misted up and walked out quickly after, but Russ was sobbing into Reet's shoulders. Uncle Dick was presented with the flag from the casket.
When I need it, please just burn my body and dump the ashes in the water somewhere - after organ donation or medical school donation as applicable.
Afterparty, for lack of a better word, was at Uncle Dicks. Boring, not a lot of people I knew. Just kept wandering around, sometimes hanging out on the deck with the smokers.
Dropped William at home and bought a new drier. Goldbergs will deliver it on Saturday. Gotta get the old one out on the curb myself. Bought a fancier on than I had, all sorts of buttons and knobs instead of just on and off like the old one. Maybe it will last more than 3 years. It's a .. some brand name. Forgot it now. Frigidaire maybe. Old one was a no-name brand - with any luck the upgrade will be worth it. I can't wait for clean laundry again.
Then walked down to Dr Dexters and checked up on everyone. Kristy is about 8 months pregnant and a whale now. She has really been hitting the icecream. Lots of new faces in the office. Both Dr D and Dr Baker said they wanted me back to work for them. Not a chance in hell. Nice to visit Sandy and even Amy was alright too. Marjorie is still there. Ran into Mighty Joe Ryan - he remembers me. :)
So that's about it. Not a fun day off of work, but it had to be done. Exhausted, even tho I didn't do much of anything really.
