Well, I got home in one piece, but I think I dropped the F-bomb approximately 109 times while driving in Toronto!
Funerals suck. There's no two ways about that. But the one good thing I can say is that's great to see your family again, especially since some of us are pretty far-flung. The Rowes are an affectionate, funny, loving bunch and we stick together at these times. I especially appreciate seeing my aunts and uncles and cousins now that my parents are both gone (and I'm an only child.) I miss having family around me.
My cousin Graham flew in from Winnipeg for his Dad's funeral, and my Uncle Kevin was here visiting from England when my Uncle Gerry passed. Kevin is my Dad's youngest sibling. My Dad was one of six; now they're down to three. :(
Graham's a big strapping guy and I thought he looked very handsome in his suit.
My uncle's four boys and their mother (Gerry's ex.)
Me and a few of my many cousins! Tim (white shirt) and I are the same age and were really close as kids. We had a lot of fun together. I wish we lived closer to each other now.
My uncle Kevin, Aunt Bernie (Dad's sis) Aunt Sylvia (Gerry's ex) and Auntie Anne (Dad's sis.) And Jesus. ;) It was a Catholic funeral.
Me and Uncle Kevin having a laugh.
He's also my godfather.
I'm sorry for your loss but glad you had a chance to be with other family members. They all look like a fine bunch. Love the picture of you with your uncle.
ReplyDeleteI'm also very sorry for your loss (and for your Toronto drive). Uncle Kevin is a man that would like goats, I think! xoxoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that you weren't meeting your family under happier circumstances.
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry for your loss. It's good that you got back safely
So glad you, ladies, didn't have to wear a shirt and tie.
ReplyDeleteTrue! We grow up, leave the family circle to build our own little nest, then see aunt, uncles, cousins, etc, at marriages and funerals. At one point, (in my family) young people stopped getting married. They just got together with no ceremony. And older people kept dying. As you say: Funerals suck.
In retrospect, we should have organised a huge Family Feast Week-End every other summer, with ballons and talent contests. Too late for us!
Glad you're back home with Gordon, bees, chickens and pets. There's a biblical text I always appreciated. Not sure of the English words but it goes like: Tears endureth for a night. Joy cometh in the morning.
Now it's time for laughter! And work....
I love family get-togethers. I'm sorry about the loss of your Uncle. I'm going to learn from this and try to make the most of my family. Several of them are only 3 hours away, and I never go to see them. I'm going to go visit more often. not only at funerals. Thanks for the reminder, Nat. {hugs}
ReplyDelete~Lynn
Fran, thank you! It was fun seeing them all again. My Uncle Kevin is so much fun.
ReplyDeleteIsobelle, Uncle Kevin would definitely be a lover of goats. :) He'd give you very nice scritchies under the chin.
Thanks, Jams. It's time for a family wedding!
Claude, ugh, imagine wearing a suit and tie in summer! Well, I can imagine that because I did it when I was in the Naval Reserve band and it was gross. :) But I think your Family Feast Weekend is a great idea. My cousin did that last year but I just couldn't deal with the eight-hour drive. And I like your Biblical quote.
Lynn, life does get busy and it can be hard to see family, especially when you're not in the same city. I find Facebook helpful for keeping in touch with relatives I wouldn't otherwise hear from. :)
ReplyDeleteNice family photos. Thanks for sharing. Reminds me of my dad who had his "Wedding, funeral and bar mitzvah" suit. It seems those are the only times we make time to see family...
ReplyDeleteNothing like weddings and funerals to bring families together. You look wonderful and I'm glad you not only got to see everyone again, but that you took a lot of pictures. Thanks for sharing and glad you made it back safe and sound.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice looking family! And how very kind of Jesus to show up. ; )
ReplyDeleteRonna, we need to make more of an effort to see our families at other times. It's hard when we live far apart and get busy! :(
ReplyDeletePaula, there were quite a few of us taking pics that day. We had fun catching up too.
CogDis, if my aunties are around, Jesus is sure to follow! ;)