The Rosary

The service was darkened by the candles hushed whispering. The family in some cases had not seen each other in years. Some grown to look like a parent passed on. Some still youthfully sprite. A reception was attended to by members of the family manning the station to greet those who honour a friend. Definitely a group of characters. In parts could be a book or movie the clan of Bohemians. Yes the next generation mellowed by cell phones and inner thought. Not like the old days when family was often your survival in life. Now independence ruled. He was our life, our breath, our blood. Like no other each of us carry him into infinity. My father. I was excited about seeing cousins and aunts and sisters and brothers. I was never very good at funerals but then again my sisters did their part to make that a unique experience. Yes each of my Beautiful inside and out sisters all have unique qualities fine blessing and gifts. I think we got the gift of so many flavours from my mother. She use to joke that after 8 kids you tend to be schizophrenic. There was my mother in line Helen Ruth greeting others from the community. She took me over and introduced me to a man she said this was Dr. Sears. I smiled awkward moment then another person from town arrived then another. Then another man came into room and my mom introduced him to me as Dr. Sears. My brother Tom was standing next to me and I leaned into him and said. 'Every guy mom has introduced to me is Dr. Sears. What's up with that?' He told me that if I figure it out then he would spare me a wedgies later and we shook on it. I did not want a wedgies from Tom. Clue!!!! later found out before the wedgies there are two Dr. Sears brothers........... Thank Gaud. Just then in came my Aunties my moms sisters Ann and Kaye. They are a Hoot. Ask Kaye she will tell you. She is a free spirited women. Carefree and usually joking about life. Ann is the more classic woman attentive to that which is proper. But also very funny. Actually the three of them together are totally nuts. I will never forget when they all [including Jim Ed] pulled their pants down in front of everyone at Mother and Dad's anniversary. Kaye and Ann made their entrance. Apparently a fight began in car on way over and big sister was not happy with little sisters behaviour. So here is how my Aunties entrance began. Kaye storming in and hugging my mom who was in line. Then whispering into my mom ear loud enough for all to hear, Ann was being mean to her. Then storming over to hide in a corner as Ann waltzed passed them styled and propped herself onto the couch. 'Oh hush' she said to the cowering Kaye sulking her lips pouched out as my mom turned and glared at Ann. Kidding she after all was the biggest and oldest sister. Told them to Behave. Then she and Kaye stuck their tongues out at Ann. I thought to myself wow this is going to be another fun family affair. Thank you God for blessing me with such a interesting clan. I joined my Aunt Ann sitting on the couch and went to hug her. She hugged me back and said how sorry she was. I in my usual funeral behavior. Proceeded to tell her I was ok. I explained to her that the night my father passed away was a glorious night. There rising over my mountain shines a moon like no other. Tremendous in size and honourable in brilliance. I went out and stripped naked and danced. I dance wildly and howled and cried out. My body jaunting into a primal state. I tossed my hair around in spinning circle as I had so many times as a child. Freeing my power to dance to fly. My sisters and I would perform a sort of African dance we called it and I was enjoying the moons embrace. I felt nothing on this chilly night of brightness. I danced until I felt only joy. I felt that this was as it was and I must make the best of my own life. I have a garden in my back yard and at that moment I decided to pull out the tiller and to make my vegetable garden. So under the moons gaze I created a vegetable garden. I still have it and thankful I think of my father often while weeding and seeing how hard work can also be combined with fun. Harvesting God gifts. Well needless to say when I told my aunt Ann about dancing naked under the moon then tilling she burst out laughing. I mean loud hard and for her very unusual. Right there In the funeral parlor behind the line of greeters eyes turned to look at us. I thought uho I have done it again. This was not enough Ann then had to ask my Aunt Kaye to come over and asked me to re-tell the story. Kaye just high fived me and said thats my girl. You look just like Big Mama. Yes this was only day one of a five day festival of mishaps and unusual behaviours. Farting from Catholic food.. Fights on the Grounds of the military cemetery... Bad juju. Foot massage for Joey finally Dogs leg broken and woman wrist while possibly attempt to kill pup and the curry stand off just to name a few. I decided for those who where not able to attend or be in a proximate area to have enjoyed these stories. Here it is for you and also for those who where not in a state to recall much of anything. It was a wild ride the night of the Rosary.