Funerals

Got the news that my cousin Gene passed away as I was entering the church to attend Aunt Alma's funeral on Dec. 10. According to Duncan, Gene's entire immediate family was surrounding him when he died. They sang Amazing Grace at some point. It sounded like something out of Norman Rockwell. I saw tears in a few of my cousins' eyes during the funeral service. Tears for Gene. It was a unique situation.

At the graveside I thought of Mother's last moment on earth and how different it was from Gene's. None of her family was with her. Only that crazy old-person killer, JoAnn, all the time talking with that annoying accent while Mom was in pain. Mom called me. I complained about the time. She died. I wish I would have been with her. I feel sorry for her to have to die that way. I'm glad I was the last person she spoke with.

Went to Gene's funeral yesterday in the midst of a terrible flooding rain storm in Houston. Threw coins at the toll booth exact change thingie and missed. Had to open my door in the windy storm to pick up the coins and re-throw them. My hair just about blew off my head. I felt very annoyed and out of control. We were five minutes late to the funeral, just in time to see Gene's body before the service started. Seven people arrived after us. Four of which were Sonja, Julian, Pat, and Delois. I was glad to see them. Denalda was appreciative of our attending. The preacher read what various members of the family wrote about Gene. A cell phone rang as Denalda's words were read.

Cooked meat loaf and mashed potatoes tonight. It wasn't very good. Nathan is engaged to Jessica. They are coming over this weekend to do Christmas early. I have a fear she will break his heart, again, but he is absolutely crazy about her.

A bit melancholy. The husband is distant. He shows the dog and cat more affection than he shows me. I swept the floors today and mopped one of them.

I think I will boycott funerals for a while.