Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Thoughts From A Wake

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I thought I would not be attending one these in a long time. Or better yet, I was hoping not to attend one of these anytime soon. But I did.

He was 52. He has a wife. He has a set of twins - boys, 7 or 8 years old. He had a stroke. He is the Uncle of my husband. He was buried today.

They decided to have the wake for 4 days. There were old men and women - wise ones. There was a group of people who talking about him - how he was when he was still alive, what he liked doing, who he was, what they remembered him for. There were those who were busy attending to the guests - serving coffee, cookies and candy. There were those who were singing songs. His children were there - playing with the other children. And his wife. His wife was there, sitting in one corner, shaking the hands of those who wished to extend their condolences, trying to make small talk with the other guests but other than those times, she would just sit there and stare blankly into space. It broke my heart.

He died on my birthday.

Life and Death are just too real.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh boy. So young. What a terrible tragedy for the family.

I am sure this brings up thoughts about your parents even more.

Thinking of you...


Jane, P&B Girls

Jennboree said...

The circle of life can be jolting. The day Bella took her first steps is the day our beloved Becca, my cousin, went on the ventilator due to Cystic Fibrosis. I carry that bittersweet day close to my heart.

Tragic for a man so young. Remembering him is to honor him.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm so sorry. Thinking of you....