Back home after our sad funeral. All went as well as it could have though. We gave him a good send off. My two brothers and I managed to get through our readings, but only just. All hugely emotional. My brothers chose an eco-friendly coffin for him that made him look like he was in a cross between a Fortnum and Mason’s food hamper and a cat basket. Made of bamboo though so a good representation of all the time he spent in the Far East. He would have found it amusing no doubt. I was tempted to add a pot of Gentleman’s Relish to the flowers we laid on his coffin.
My mother had to cope with 11 of us staying. She had to sort out many blow-up beds. She told me on the phone that Builder Bloke and I would be in her double bed…..and I was thinking OMG that is the first time she’s ever put me in the same bed with a man – even when I was married my husband and I would stay in their spare twin room – but she swiftly followed up that news with the fact that my three children would be sleeping on the floor. All five of us in one room. My daughter was horrified. Made me buy industrial quantities of ear plugs in case BB did his usual drunken snorey thing.
What a vision we all were. The kids all wore their Onesies to bed and were a sight to behold. Almost gave me nightmares about the floor being littered with giant babies.
Here is my youngest in his before I suggested that he might like to unzip the hood so that he didn’t suffocate in the night:-
So that is the worst part over with. Our final farewell. Now we have a Memorial service in London on Friday where we can concentrate on celebrating his life.
Expat Mum
November 28, 2010How can you make this post so funny! You description of the coffin was hilarious, and I love the onesies. Where on earth did you get them? I’m very tempted….
Anyway, glad you got through the day in one piece sweetie.
x
Family Affairs
November 28, 2010Well, I find humour helps in all scenarios…..nobody wants to read about the really sad bits. Check out the link – you can order them from the company if you google their name I think. They’re fab – expensive though. Although apparently Sadie Frost is buying one for everybody she knows for Xmas. Lx
saz
November 28, 2010that is a sight and presence enough to put anyone canoodling in their mothers home and bed..gawd!!
Your light hearted spin on events tells me you are getting through it with your family all around…
hope you are ok….
luv saz x
TheMadHouse
November 28, 2010Just wanted to say that I have been thinking of you and oh my those onsies are scary
Family Affairs
November 28, 2010Thanks x
kelloggsville
November 28, 2010So pleased you managed your reading, well done. It’s a funny time, limbo land, around the funeral time. Not sure I can explain what I mean but it is a very sureal thing. Hope next Friday goes well too xx
Family Affairs
November 28, 2010I know. Very surreal time Lx
Anna
November 29, 2010Surreal, but you still managed to “give the audience a grin”. That’s exactly what your dad would have wanted.
karen
November 29, 2010I’m glad that the reading went well! The eco-friendly coffin sounds fascinating… Was wondering what on earth a ‘onesie’ could be, thanks for the enlightening photo!
Hayley
November 29, 2010Those suit things are scary!! Wow! But I bet they are really warm!
I’m glad it went ok, I’ve heard of those eco coffins but never seen one, now i have an interesting image in my head. I’m sure he was thrilled with his send off and is no doubt very proud of you all.
Dulwich Divorcee
November 29, 2010It sounds as though you did your dad proud and I’m sure he would thoroughly approve of the giant baby passion killers littered around your bedroom floor – those Onesies are extraordinary xx
Family Affairs
November 29, 2010You are SO right about them being passion killers (for the middle aged brigade anyway) x