I just got home from a funeral.  Jenelle's (A friend from High School) Dad died unexpectedly last week. He was suffering from cancer but unlike Bridget (who's funeral I will be attending tomorrow) no body was expecting him to go. He went into hospital for some pain management and sadly died before his  wife and kids could come and say goodbye.

It was a fantastic send off for Phil. Just as he would have liked, a short service and big party afterwards. We all remembered practically growing up in their house, how there would be 20-30 kids hanging around there every day, how we were always welcome. There weren't many rules, but one rule that was never crossed was that the family ate dinner together every night at 6:30 sharp.

"I'm not running a restaurant"

he would say, and even though it seemed like a hassle at the time for the 3 kids. I'm sure they have fond memories of their family dinner, every night at 6:30.

Bridget’s funeral will be more difficult. The service is going to be Catholic, something I always find draining. I take comfort in the rosary which will be held tonight but the actual service will be hard. I think the fact that her children are still young (The youngest is 9, then 15 and the oldest 19) will play on everyone’s minds. She was one of those people who I've never heard a bad word spoken of. Her departure will leave a huge hole in the family.

LB