Now What? Confusion Reigns!
I thought about it, but never knew what I would write after my father died; I knew what had to be done immediately, arranging an appropriate service is just the beginning of a paperwork project involving bureaucratic companies and government agencies. So I know, I've got a lot to do. But back to the blog.......
I changed the header picture a few weeks ago. My cousin gave me this picture, I find it very comforting in that this is a good picture of my father as "daddy." She told me she remembered I was sick that day; there are many amongst us who believe that condition still exists to this day. Uncle Elliott's Mercury is in the background.
So what else happens here? The funeral was nice, short, simple. Exactly what he wanted. We did not plan on the heat so the short service worked well and was ended by singing Bless be The Tie. Jackson was presented the flag by Nephew Kevin. Sweet.
Off to Englewood Baptist for a nice reception and lunch. Not unlike many other funerals I saw several people I never see otherwise. We had lots of pictures out, many friends commented on how sweet and kind my gentleman father was; I told them they should have known him when I was 16 and tried to wear out every set of tires on every car he had...........................But they were right.
On the Thursday before he died I went to Raleigh to work. I sometimes enjoy listening to Howard Stern (see the second paragraph....sick) but on this particular morning decided to listen to John Boy and Billy as the listing on my Sirius radio showed "Lady Gaga in studio." No need to listen to this; didn't know much about her but had a pretty good idea of what I think. Several telephone calls interrupted my listening (damned customers) so I didn't hear the introduction; however as I started listening I was surprised to hear her anti-drug message, talk about the phoniness of the entertainment business, advise her young fans to abstain from sex until their 20's, decry bullying in the schools, and then discuss her Christianity and spiritualism. Yeah, it's still me, check the header, John Riley typed that. Later she sang Edge of Glory while accompanying herself on the piano. It is a song about watching her grandfather die while holding her grandmother's hand. The whole experience blew me away, especially the song. Give it a listen if you dare.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_GMgkcc2KM
So I'm going to sell everything and become one of her little monsters following her from concert to concert, BYE!
JK, but needless to say I was impressed by that young lady and of course parts of the song touched my heart. Quite a 180 from my prior preconceived thoughts about her.
On to my Daddy:
Can I properly reflect on his life, love and family without making a joke and possibly offending some people? Can I capture a glimmer of the essence of what made him? Is it possible to write a few words, sentences and paragraphs that describe how I feel? How others feel? How my mother feels? How my brother feels? How his daughter in laws and grandchildren feel? Nope, you probably know I'm not that good a writer....................
I'm sad that he is gone, but I am a Christian and happy that he is whole and well again and in heaven. But I've got a hole in my heart that started long before the day he died; going back and forth to Mama's I rode down Bridges Street several times this week and each time thought I was supposed to stop at Crystal Bluffs. I don't think that feeling will go away anytime soon. Probably will feel the same way after church and lunch on Sundays listening to the Prairie Home Companion as I went to see him. Garrison Keiller is a funny guy in a sick twisted way. Wonder if he in related to us? I hope you get my wandering point.....
I've been told I will remember good things about my daddy as time goes by, but right now I think about him lying in that bed wasting away. I'm sorry, no sugar-coating today. But I am confident that thought process will fade into happier times eventually. The mind, spirit and body have good ways of protecting one from oneself.
So yes, the dark Irish side comes out every now and then. But then as with my many other sentiments, feelings and emotions I get a baseball bat and chase it back into the closet, only to be retrieved during analysis or drunken stupors.
So if you haven't already, let's smile:
I wonder where I will take my lunchtime naps now? Think they'll let me turn the sofa in his room at the nursing home and watch TV? Uh, don't mind him, creature of habit. Dink's house? Don't think so...............Won't be long before Jackson goes back to school and TAR to work so it's back to the office
OK, we have to laugh and remember the fun times, so let's make merry. Grab a hot dog with extra onions, put the base of your palm up to your mouth and make a long farting noise.
There, you did something funny.
The day ended nicely as this old toad was rescued by a lovely young princess at the Nash County offices. Seeing her capped a very good day.
Next week I will post some pictures and try to be funnier.
I changed the header picture a few weeks ago. My cousin gave me this picture, I find it very comforting in that this is a good picture of my father as "daddy." She told me she remembered I was sick that day; there are many amongst us who believe that condition still exists to this day. Uncle Elliott's Mercury is in the background.
So what else happens here? The funeral was nice, short, simple. Exactly what he wanted. We did not plan on the heat so the short service worked well and was ended by singing Bless be The Tie. Jackson was presented the flag by Nephew Kevin. Sweet.
Off to Englewood Baptist for a nice reception and lunch. Not unlike many other funerals I saw several people I never see otherwise. We had lots of pictures out, many friends commented on how sweet and kind my gentleman father was; I told them they should have known him when I was 16 and tried to wear out every set of tires on every car he had...........................But they were right.
On the Thursday before he died I went to Raleigh to work. I sometimes enjoy listening to Howard Stern (see the second paragraph....sick) but on this particular morning decided to listen to John Boy and Billy as the listing on my Sirius radio showed "Lady Gaga in studio." No need to listen to this; didn't know much about her but had a pretty good idea of what I think. Several telephone calls interrupted my listening (damned customers) so I didn't hear the introduction; however as I started listening I was surprised to hear her anti-drug message, talk about the phoniness of the entertainment business, advise her young fans to abstain from sex until their 20's, decry bullying in the schools, and then discuss her Christianity and spiritualism. Yeah, it's still me, check the header, John Riley typed that. Later she sang Edge of Glory while accompanying herself on the piano. It is a song about watching her grandfather die while holding her grandmother's hand. The whole experience blew me away, especially the song. Give it a listen if you dare.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_GMgkcc2KM
So I'm going to sell everything and become one of her little monsters following her from concert to concert, BYE!
JK, but needless to say I was impressed by that young lady and of course parts of the song touched my heart. Quite a 180 from my prior preconceived thoughts about her.
On to my Daddy:
Can I properly reflect on his life, love and family without making a joke and possibly offending some people? Can I capture a glimmer of the essence of what made him? Is it possible to write a few words, sentences and paragraphs that describe how I feel? How others feel? How my mother feels? How my brother feels? How his daughter in laws and grandchildren feel? Nope, you probably know I'm not that good a writer....................
I'm sad that he is gone, but I am a Christian and happy that he is whole and well again and in heaven. But I've got a hole in my heart that started long before the day he died; going back and forth to Mama's I rode down Bridges Street several times this week and each time thought I was supposed to stop at Crystal Bluffs. I don't think that feeling will go away anytime soon. Probably will feel the same way after church and lunch on Sundays listening to the Prairie Home Companion as I went to see him. Garrison Keiller is a funny guy in a sick twisted way. Wonder if he in related to us? I hope you get my wandering point.....
I've been told I will remember good things about my daddy as time goes by, but right now I think about him lying in that bed wasting away. I'm sorry, no sugar-coating today. But I am confident that thought process will fade into happier times eventually. The mind, spirit and body have good ways of protecting one from oneself.
So yes, the dark Irish side comes out every now and then. But then as with my many other sentiments, feelings and emotions I get a baseball bat and chase it back into the closet, only to be retrieved during analysis or drunken stupors.
So if you haven't already, let's smile:
I wonder where I will take my lunchtime naps now? Think they'll let me turn the sofa in his room at the nursing home and watch TV? Uh, don't mind him, creature of habit. Dink's house? Don't think so...............Won't be long before Jackson goes back to school and TAR to work so it's back to the office
OK, we have to laugh and remember the fun times, so let's make merry. Grab a hot dog with extra onions, put the base of your palm up to your mouth and make a long farting noise.
There, you did something funny.
The day ended nicely as this old toad was rescued by a lovely young princess at the Nash County offices. Seeing her capped a very good day.
Next week I will post some pictures and try to be funnier.
