Sunday, November 22, 2020

ANOTHER SAD DAY TO GET THROUGH



ABOVE:  Today Stew and I are heading over to Tauranga for my Uncle Charles's funeral.

I still cannot get over his passing.  So sudden and unexpected.  And just too soon after the loss of my Mum... I'm still reeling.

In a way, I think this funeral is going to be harder than Mums!  Because I will be surrounded by all the family that couldn't make it to Mum's funeral.  All Mum's siblings (who live in NZ), and dozens of cousins and 2nd cousins.

To say I am dreading it would be an understatement.  I hope I don't spend the entire time just blubbing.

Snot/puffy red eyes is not a pretty look.



STORY:   When I attended Mum's funeral, upon leaving the Crematorium, I took 9 Memory Candles and Service Sheets to give to her 9 siblings.

When I got home and got them out of my suitcase, I had lost one of the memory candles.

I said to myself "Someone is not going to be getting a candle, dammit".

Then Charles died.  And I only needed 8 candles, the exact number I ended up with!

How creepy is that? 

Back to today: The funeral isn't until mid afternoon, giving us time to visit our friends, Jacqui and Martyn in the morning. As I have not seen them in quite a while, that will be a nice distraction.

And that is all I have for now.  We shall be heading off in a couple of hours.

ONWARD...

Right, I just have time to show you what I'm wearing today before we leave:

ABOVE:  It's a jumpsuit, exactly the same as the pure black one I worn to my Mum's funeral.  I have added a little lace thing under it instead of wearing a cardigan.

The lace thing is purely SLEEVES and it clips under the bust.  Whoever thought of it was pure genius.  I've had it for several years and not worn it before.

8.14 pm:  Today wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be.

We met up with Jacqui and Martyn at a newish mall in Tauranga.  We had a wander around the shops then had some lunch together before heading out to the Funeral Chapel.

There was a Christmas Shop in the mall... and while I had already decided NOT to bother with Christmas decorations or tree this year (not in the mood really), we did end up getting these:


ABOVE: Stew spied this really cute decoration for Brylee.

She ONLY eats Weet Bix for breakfast, every day!


ABOVE:  A self-lit, flashing little tree.  That will be about all I will have this year. 

And that is mostly for the little grandkids, not us.

ABOVE:  My uncle's coffin was on the back of a Hi-Ab Truck.  Very fitting as he ran a large HI-Ab trucking business in Tauranga for years.

It was a very large funeral.  And it went on for a good hour and a half.  

I found it difficult when family members came up to me and offered condolences on the loss of Mum.  But I literally gritted my teeth, and HELD IT TOGETHER.

We ended up at one of my other Uncle's homes, and mixed and mingled with Mum's siblings; cousins etc.  

After an hour of that I'd had enough, so we came home.

ABOVE:  Once we got home, Steve, Bex and the boys called in for an hour or so.

We had a scary moment when Marley got a bit of plastic stuck in her throat!  She was choking!  I thumped her on the side, then Steve did and dislodged whatever it was.  PHEW!  I almost saw #3 death happen in front of my eyes.

I have this horrible feeling... Things go in three's.  

But maybe not.  I hope not.

And on that note, that's it for today.

Stew and I are both damn tired, so an early night will ensue I'm thinking.

26 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:56 AM

    Thinking of you today Chris 💙 life can be very unfair and this year you have battled your way through it. Stew will be right by your side as he has been for many years. Am sure THE OLD MOO will be watching with the angels to say farewell to Charles. George's Mum.

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  2. I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope you find peace in seeing everyone.
    So glad your blog is staying.

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  3. What a difficult and sad year you have been having. Sending you love, hugs and strength from W. Canada. Take care Janice

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  4. Anonymous8:35 AM

    That is a bit creepy about the candles isn’t it ? When my sister died hr husband passed away 4 months later. The one advantage to he having kids young was that both kids were adults and self supporting.
    Have a great catch up before the funeral with friends.
    Dee

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  5. Kiwionholidays8:35 AM

    💐💐💐💐

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  6. Will be thinking of you today Chris. Bereavements are never easy, and having two close family members pass away so close together is super tough. Let those tears flow if you feel them coming ... they can be a helpful part of working through the what you are going through and a good way to release some of the grief. That missing candle is very spooky. *Big hugs* for today.

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  7. Anonymous9:08 AM

    Chris - I know this will be extra hard for you today, and I send inner peace wishes to you and your entire family. I hope you will all gather strength by being together today. Sending love, Ky Girl

    p.s. I remember seeing the pictures of your moms birthday with your uncle and I noticed then and have to say now, he could have been a Double for Richard Gere. ;-)

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  8. Sending you strength and love. Mel x

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  9. Jamie M9:19 AM

    Thinking about you and sending you all big hugs today Chris. I lost my dad and uncle in a similar time frame ten years ago and it's an odd mix of emotions to deal with, especially more for you with what's happened with covid etc.

    Much love x

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  10. You look lovely. It will be nice to have family around today for closure for both your Mum and Uncle Charles, especially since they were not able to be with you in Australia.

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  11. Thinking of you and I hope seeing the extended family brings you some comfort. The jumpsuit looks fantastic. Love the lace thing underneath too, how clever! We are sweltering here in Brisbane today, I’m guessing your day will be a bit cooler. Ps. So excited I’ve worked out my comment situation, you’ll be sick of me soon 😂

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  12. Condolences to you Chris, it will be a hard day but comforting for you at the same time,as you will have Stew with you today. You look great in your outfit. xx

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  13. You and all your family in my prayers today. Hugs from way over here in Albany, Ga USA to all of you today.

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  14. You look beautiful x Thinking of you today

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  15. Cry all you need. You won't be the only one. The jumpsuit looks lovely and the lace thingy is brilliant.
    Today will be a challenge but after this you can truly move on.

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  16. Chris, all the very best for today. You look absolutely wonderful. Hugs from Melbourne, Australia. x

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  17. Anonymous2:14 PM

    Big hugs for today Chris, it will be difficult but you are strong and you have Stew with you. You look amazing. Sarah from Melb xxxx

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  18. Thinking of you today 💕
    You look beautiful in your outfit

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  19. Anonymous3:51 PM

    You look stunning in that pants suit and the lace sleeves look part of it. Not an easy day for you but I am thinking of you. Kj

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  20. I love your outfit it looks so great on you. The lace is a nice touch. Thinking of you. X

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  21. I hope today was okay and you are coping. I love the outfit, you look lovely :-)

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  22. Anonymous9:44 PM

    You definitely looked awesome today. I think there for me at least a bit of PTSD involved after watching someone you love die, especially if they had awful pain. Our daughter now nurses people who are dying, she saw how wrecked I was after watching my darling Mum die and wanted to help families. Take care Chris x

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  23. Anonymous9:56 PM

    oml I love the truck and it looks blue

    #Lacy 💙

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  24. Thinking of you and hope all went well. I love the out fit.

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  25. Thank goodness you were around to save Marley. We have had to dislodge objects from our Shih Tzu 3 times or so. Good thing you can do the Heimlich Manuvere on dogs!

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  26. Oh how scary with Marley! We had a kitten choke once and we could not save it. It was so sad :(

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