Its over, I'm exhausted

Well, the ordeal is finally over. Today, we buried a grandma, a sister, a wife, a mother. I had forgotten how draining funerals are, and how long (Catholic ones, at least). We started at the funeral home at 930, then the funeral was at 1030, then to the cemetery, and to grandma/grandads house for gathering. I think the crying is what wears you out so much - it was 2:30 and I felt like it was 6 - I could hardly keep my eyes open.

Sis and I put white roses on grandmas casket at the cemetery. It couldnt have been a more lovely day, if there is such a thing when someone is laid to rest. Lots of tears, and even a few laughs, as Father F reminded us of grandma's favorite phrase in months past, "good gawd almighty!" In fact, those were the last words out of her mouth - the Hospice nurse asked her if she was in any pain....her mouth puckered up and spewed out "good gawd almighty no!" :) Through grandmas deterioration, she never once complained - ever, never said she was in any pain. She just let everyone take care of her.

I got to see lots of family that I hadnt seen in years - that was really nice. Grandma's sisters, sharing tales of growing up with grandma - grandm stealing her sisters $25 dress to wear roller skating (the equivalent of that today would be like $500!) - of course, they were more than entertaining! Just wish it didnt take a death in the family to get everyone together, but alas, that's the way of the world these days when everyone is so "busy".

I think grandad will be OK - over the past few days, I think he's seen how much he's truly loved, and how we're there to be with him and make sure that the rest of his life is full and fullfilling, even though grandma has moved on.

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Also spent time with the cousin, the one beaten with a hammer a bit over a week ago - she's doing remarkably well. I cant believe how her eye has healed, even though its mostly closed still. Tomorrow she has reconstructive surgery - they're rebuilding her eye socket and the bones around her eye with plastic. It sounds relatively simple, a 1 hour procedure. She just wants to get it done so she can get back to work and a normal life -although, I'm sure when fuckstick is on trial things will be tough. She testified for the grand jury Friday morning, I dont know anything else as of yet except that he is still behind bars. What a relief - If he was "out" he'd probably try to finish her off :(

I also gave her the check for the money I raised from the auction to help her. Man did she ever cry. She said 'you dont know what this means' - she'd already received her last paycheck for some time, and she was worrying how she'd pay for the prescriptions after surgery tomorrow. It was so emotional. My sister and I simply told her, "that's what family is for" - it was truly touching, and she was overwhelmed that people she's never met cared enough about her well being to give their money. I joked and said "you better appreciate this, I pimped my ass out for you" - We shared quite the giggle over that one :) It was definitely one of the highlights of recent days for me - being able to help someone that truly needed it. You cant beat the "warm fuzzies" :)

Signing off for now, ......