Sunday, January 24, 2016

Funeral Saturday

My cousins funeral was on Saturday morning.
One of those long Catholic services.   There were plenty of places to sit so we sat in the back of the church…not much perfume there although the candles burning and incense was a little hard to take.
 
The Priest had quite a cough and kept stopping to cough and blow his nose…I was thrilled that we were so far from the front of the church.

Immediately after the service we headed to the Cemetery.
Highway Patrol escort
We had an escort. 
Funeral procession
It was a dull gray day… the Cemetery is way north of town just outside of a little bump in the road village.
Cemetery Road
You know you are there when you see the street sign that says Cemetery Road.
Lyles Casket and flowers
The lopsided funeral spray bugged me, I guess I should have walked right up and straightened it out….but it reminded me that Lyle was a bit different all his life…and wonky flowers on his casket wouldn’t have bothered him.

The Deacon said a bunch of prayers while the wind roared through the tall pines behind us and the snow on the heavily laden trees went airborne….it was a tad chilly with fine snow landing on us.  Lyle’s grave site is just a little west and south of his sister’s grave and west and north of his parent’s graves.  I will visit in the spring to make sure there are some kind of flowers.

We headed to the Osage Community Center where a funeral lunch was waiting.  Sloppy Joes, ham sandwiches, potato chips, pickles and bars of all kinds…and coffee….Lyle’s favorite foods.  There was much visiting with cousins. Lyle was never married, but he had three nieces and a nephew that were very special to him.   

I remember when Lyle was born a bright eyed little guy! I remember him after he was brain damaged some of that light went out of his eyes.  I can only imagine how brightly those eyes must have lit up when he saw heaven all spread out before him…and his father, mother, sister and brother waiting for him there…I can only imagine.
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22 comments:

Cathie said...

Have you heard the song "I can only imagine" by Mercy Me? Again, sending sympathy and prayers for you and your family.

Cynthia said...

I love that Lyle's flowers were wonky on the casket, and that you noticed. The last paragraph is beautiful, Connie. RIP Lyle.

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful piece of writing in memory of your cousin. I have no doubt the light came back to his eyes with family waiting to greet him in Heaven. RIP Lyle.

Still the Lucky Few said...

A lovely tribute to someone dear to you. I like that they served Lyle's favorite foods at the reception. Very fitting!

lisa said...

Sorry for your loss, I think that is how a funeral should be, a memorial for the one that passed not for the ones left. I want to have people dancing to my favorite music and eating the things I like and so on! Great post, Connie.

Terry and Linda said...

What a beautiful post...you have me crying. Sigh!

Linda

Jenn Jilks said...

What a beautiful post, indeed. I was both laughing and sad for you. That's what I hope for. I was somewhat hysterical at my mom's funeral. And dad's only had 9 people there. sigh.

Intense Guy said...

RIP Lyle.

Patsy said...

What happy and wonderful way to think of Lyle.
Oh what a happy day that will be!

Anonymous said...

I have been reading your blog for many years now, you are an extraordinary human being and your husband also, your children such wonderful human beings and your grandchildren..RIP Lyle, you loved him and showed it to him and your family, not many have that at all not our family..At my Mother in laws funeral at the cemetery many got into a scuffle I was so disgustged and it was December near Christmas they did not care whatsoever, my husband the oldest of her second family got really upset, we skipped anykind of gathering, it was just he pits..God's Blessings to you and yours, keep up the blog and hoping Heaven had a wonderful opening for your relative a big celebration with his family your family toooooo!

Anonymous said...

I meant to say it was the pits, my husband has a sister your age and she skipped anykind of gathering after the funeral and cemetery scuffle her husband nearly called the cops a jewish cemetery no less, the lady rabbi told the ones arguing to pipe down or she would call the police, can you even imagine? It happened in December 2000 late and we have never spoken to any of those siblings since, after his Mom passed that was it, we have not had much to say to any of my hubs siblings always fighting and hateful, one cannot choose one's siblings and you are so fortunate to have loving siblings and a loving family! Rest in peace Lyle!

Pauline Persing said...

Rest om peace. Lyle.

Rita said...

Typical winter funeral. Even the sick, coughing priest would not be unexpected.
It is wonderful to think of your cousin, Lyle, whole and bright-eyed and smiling. I think of that a lot when people die--how they will be at their very best and healthy--and greeted by loved ones. :)

Gail said...

I think Lyle would have liked his send off.

Granny Marigold said...

Funerals can be very solemn and sad occasions but I find that there's usually lots of cousins that have lots of catching up to do and it ends up being less sad and more of a family gathering.
You mentioned once how you have a LOT of cousins. That made me think of one of my DILs. Her parents have passed on. Neither had siblings so she has no aunt, no uncle, no cousin.( And she and my son have chosen not to have children). To those of us with a gang of first and second cousins it boggles our minds.

Red said...

You have the traditional funeral. Here very few people have any kind of public service at all.

troutbirder said...

I don't care much for funeral cliches so usually keep quiet...

Shirley said...

I am Catholic, and I love the funeral liturgy. I was recently at a non Catholic funeral, and it kind of left me feeling as if something was missing. I guess it's all what you get used to. Sometimes I think poor weather at a funeral is very suiting. My mom's funeral, we had rain/snow and mud; at my brother's funeral it was about the same- suiting, since his ashes were interred in her grave.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Hi Cathie, Yes I have heard it, what a beautiful song:)

Jacqi Stevens said...

What a sweet remembrance of your cousin Lyle and his bright eyes. Yes, I'm sure they did light up! He must have been through a lot in his life!

DJan said...

I smiled at the after funeral food. He sounds like he had an interesting life, if short. Welcome home, Lyle. :-(

Leah said...

I read these last week (more timely) but didn't comment then. Nicely written and good history for family.