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July 5, 2006
solemn and dignified
My toy box of insecurities and anxieties has been filled to the brim lately with funeral arrangements, an office move, and the resultant falling behind at work in things I need to get done during all this. It's been hard to get to a consensus in organizing the friend's rememberance service. The first challenge in organizing any event is that it will always be harder and take longer when you make decisions as a group. Adding to that is that each person helping out is going through the grief and loss differently, including myself. So, you'll get random emotional outbursts, unclear responses, or simply withdrawl from the whole mess. But I think we have it all pinned down now, with a date that is sooner rather than later. I figured it would be best to get it organized early to help people process better and sooner. Funerals aren't always for the dead.
Regardless, the upbeat honored probably wouldn't appreciate a solemn ceremony, unlike the service I attended today for a friend who recently lost his father to illness. It was held at Arlington National Cemetery, and is so far the most interesting funeral I've ever been to. It featured an honor guard, 21-gun salute, dignified ceremonial folding of the flag, "Taps", the whole works. And I didn't realize that cemetery was so vast. It was also mercifully brief, as they conduct about 24 burials every weekday and have to keep things moving, so to speak. Regardless of all the services they conduct in the heat, the Marines performed their routine in today's humidity with dignity and respect. It was quite moving.
But I'm totally going to hell for lusting after them during the service.
Posted by jimbo at July 5, 2006 9:12 PM
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Comments
The only reason I didn't burst out sobbing at my grandmother's "viewing" was the hot Amish guys who came with my brother.
Posted by: homer at July 5, 2006 10:54 PM
We'll both be going to Hell, as the thought did cross my mind as well with the Marines there.
Posted by: Burl at July 5, 2006 11:02 PM
One of the guys who disappeared with your dad had one of those Arlington funerals, as he was a West Point grad. His wife eventually remarried and had twins. Go figure.
Posted by: First mom at July 6, 2006 3:02 AM