mum and me in the hot tub the day we went on cruise this summer.Today was mum's funeral. Though obviously upsetting for everybody, in all, it was a success. It all started when the funeral cars arrived outside our house around 3pm. Mum's beautiful yellow daffodile coffin was very visible from inside the glass boot of the front, funeral car. Gorgeous bokays of flowers, and on either side flowers spelling out 'mummy' and 'Sindie'. Behind, followed two lovely black limousines. (Dad said they were limousines because they had three sets of seats, but I just think they were long cars. It still isn't resolved).
After going about 5 miles per hour down the road, following some men in fancy black suits on foot, they got in their cars, and we set off slowly for Grenoside Crematorium. On arrival, we were greeted by many family and friends, all waiting, dressed in their best outside the main doors. After a few minutes of kisses and cuddles, joined by a few grieving tears. Daddy and the boys carried mum inside. (They had to be shown how to hold the coffin so they had a firm hold and didn't drop it!) While gently getting the coffin out of the car, Hallelujah by K.D. Lang played, which triggered many emotions.
When everybody was safely seated inside, with their roses from the doors, David (the vicar, also mum's great friend of 6 years) said a few words, we then sang a few songs and prayed a few prayers, followed by a few more of mum's favourite songs, which gave everybody time to reflect on mum's 'window', as Uncle Rob so lovingly put it during his up-lifting speech.
We then got the opportunity to go up to mum's coffin and spend our last moments with her, where I then noticed a few people praying before we left. Outside, we stood for what felt like forever chatting, where I was approached by a few people saying "my, oh my, haven't you grown?! I haven't seen you since you were tiny!" Me, then getting all confused, because i've never seen them before in my life! (That I can remember anyway).
When everybody was finished gossiping away, everybody went back to the Lowood pub (is that how you spell it?) for the after party, where everybody had a drink, (or two!) and ate lots of yummy food and had a laugh, to take their minds off the busy day just passed.
In all, though heartbreaking, I thought it was a brilliant round off to mum's life. I thought I'd have my little say about the situation, so here it goes.
You gave me your everything, my whole life. I've never had to learn to live any other way. But now I do, now it's hard. I'm sticking it out for you mum. Keeping my head up, my knees straight. Glaring up and the sky, wondering if you can see me. Life's alot different now, but we're all working together. I still think of you every minute, I promise. We all knew it'd come to this, so we're keeping it together. Now you're safe, no more tears, right? Now no one has to worry anymore. Life is peaceful now. No more sat in class, wondering how you're feeling today. If you're in any more pain than yesturday. Yeah, i'm lonely, and I miss you; but I wouldn't have it any other way. You'll never be forgotten; everybody's friend. I love you.
