Funeral

It's the one party where you're the guest of honor, and you can't enjoy yourself. It's also your last one. Today we said farewell to my mother-in-law, Molly. She would have liked seeing herself in her favorite outfit, smelling all of the lovely flowers. She would have loved the little ones on her lap just one more time, hearing their laughter. She left us long ago due to Alzheimer's, but her body and that sweet smile stayed with us until last week when cancer got the best of her. Her favorite songs  were sung, and the sun coming through the stained glass windows cast beautiful color throughout the sanctuary. I hurt for our family, the love that each one knew from that delightful lady. Her oldest child, my Husband, is coping with the loss now of both parents in a matter of months. Her Husband, a kind man in his 90's, now is alone with his caretakers. With poor health, I wonder if he won't be far behind her. Tonight, he'll be alone in their bed, and my heart aches for him. It was so difficult to see his pain as he said goodbye to his love. Each one grieves in their own way, and has their own time and manner of healing. Tomorrow will begin the healing, the coming to terms with the changes involved with losing a loved one. Tonight, though, there will be many wet pillows from people crying themselves to sleep, and that's okay. Tears are reminders that we love others, that we care, that we feel, that we hurt not just for ourselves but for other people too. That we're human.