Friday, January 21, 2011

And did those feet, in ancient times

Today was Mavis' funeral.  We took Climber & Cherub, because they knew Mavis well and because we thought it would be good for Mavis' two boys to have some friends there.  I'd had a chat with my boys yesterday to prime them for what they could expect, and they were terrific, but of course sad.  Indeed, Cherub started weeping heavily as soon as the service opened with Mavis' favourite song, Dancing Queen by Abba.  It was as though he was a little conduit for all the grief in the room, and he really didn't stop looking sad until we left the chapel.   Fixit was sad but stoic, Climber had slow tears rolling down his face on and off, and I was a mess.  But as I said to the boys in preparation, it's important to let the sadness out at this time. 

Afterwards, back at Mavis' house, we had a cheerful wake with plenty of drinking and laughing.  I was enormously comforted by the presence of friends from school, as kind and caring and funny a bunch of people as you could ever hope to meet. 

Mavis requested that people wear green and pink to her funeral, and this inspired me to make some crochet brooches; first one for me, then one each for Fixit and the boys, then another 3 for Mavis' children and her sister. Plus some spares. Really this whole week has been about trying to do stuff, because making and baking and having the kids over, in other words trying to throw some practical help at a sad situation, seems to be a therapy in itself.

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Now that it's over I feel wrung out, but more at peace.  I think we sent her off in style and I think she would have been happy with it.

15 comments:

  1. That sounds as nice as a funeral could hope to be. The badges are lovely too.

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  2. A life remembered and celebrated. I'm sure Mavis would have been proud of all of you.

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  3. Do you know? I think I shall wear pink and green tomorrow? Vale Mavis.

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  4. Miss Stomper - such a big heavy grown up thing for those boys to do. Well done to them and Vale Mavis - a woman well loved.

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  5. That photo of you just breaks my heart..hate seeing you so sad looking..

    But feel glad too that you are finding some acceptance in the face of grief..

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  6. Throwing practical help at the situation and letting the sadness out sounds like two of the best steps to moving forward.

    I'm thinking of you.

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  7. Your crochet is lovely. I hope your hearts are beginning to feel less empty, although I know this can take such a long time.

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  8. Funerals are really important aren't they - it's all about grieving and being sad with all the others that loved that person.

    Thinking of you and all those your friend left behind. xox

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  9. I can't add anything to the words of the people before me, but my heart goes out to you all.

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  10. Oh, that poem! Walk upon England's mountains green ...

    xxx

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  11. Oh dear, yes. Far too young. But I'm sure you helped as far as anyone could.

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  12. Oh, Stomper. Mavis was a clever lady: pink and green is perfect. Colours filled with light.

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  13. Sounds like a lovely send off... but so heartbreaking.
    xx

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