Tuesday, November 30, 2010

11/30/10 Funeral

      A few weeks ago I went to my first funeral. Before going I was not thrilled the only thing that got me to go was that my family from New York was going to be there; this is what came to my head; I thought that I was going to be sitting in church listening to a priest talk about how God will lift her spirit to heaven and guide her, then for the rest watch people cry, morn, extra.. yata yata yata.
     My first surprise on arriving  was arriving at a nature center to educate children about forest, and animals in it. There were hands on examples and down the hall class rooms and stuffed creatures. On continuing through I end up in a open room chop full of people I don't know *well this is going to be thrilling*. I wonder about looking at pictures, and getting bored of listing to people mingle. I go back out and check out the exhibits and shoot a few texts to a few friends, (hey what can I say). When I make my way back into the room the chairs are arranged into a half circle, with two rows. I make sure I am in the back, I want to avoid  as much emotional stuff as possible.
     The first relative rose, he must have been the son of the deceased and he started with a speech and instructions for anyone who pleases to rise and say a few memories or words about their loved one. *This was different.* So I listened to each one of their stories and reasons why the loved this lady. Just by her wishes on how the funeral was going to happen she seemed from the start like a really open minded, down to earth person (I don't remember meeting her). Thats exactly how people described her as. They talked about what she did for them and how she helped them in one way or another. By the end I was almost feeling sad. Apparently she was one of very few female educators of her time and has inspired many to do the same. After listening to stories after stories the service came to a close and of corse at any event here in America there was food. I had two vegetarian hummus wraps. People mingled more, and each close family member was to pick a bird out of her collection. She loved birds and nature hence the location. 
      When I thought everything was done I ended up being dragged to a house *ugh more sad*. My objective was to just sit, eat, and listen. Later I ended up getting to actually talk to people and we got to talk about collage, the future, and I even talked some politics. As much as I hate politics I was able to convince a Republican about repealing the DADT (don't ask don't tell) and gay marriage rights. The sad thing was I didn't completely warm up until it was time for us to leave. Oh well, all in all the whole thing wasn't that bad.
      The beauty of it all was how much people showed there love, and how the service was peaceful, no religion, and casual. Good words were spoken, people had fun, and there was good food. :P This is how funerals should be.
As was mentioned in a speech, she is now flying with the birds.
I hope when I die my funeral is alot like this one.