Two Funerals and A Homecoming

Disclaimer: If you don't have a sense of humor, you may find this post offensive. If I've learned one thing, it's to laugh at yourself and/or lifes circumstances.

My PaPa's last living sibling Polly died this last weekend. She was an incredible lady and my Ma loved her dearly. My mother told Ma about Polly last Sunday when they were all here at my house. Ma was obviously very upset when she learned of her death. Polly's graveside service was set for this last Saturday at 1:30. Mid week my Mom called me on my cell phone. I was at the nursing home with Ma. She said, I need a favor. I said "Ok". She told me that Wynn Wigley a dear friend to my Ma had also passed away and that she didn't want to tell her over the phone, and wondered if I would tell her. I said yes and later that evening I told Ma. Poor Ma was of course crushed- I can't imagine what it's like to watch everyone around you (your generation) die. Even worse, her funeral was also on Saturday at 1:00. Since it was logistically impossible for us to make both funerals my Mom had decided that we would stop by the Wigley family dinner so that Ma could see everyone and say goodbye to Wynne then go to Polly's service.

Saturday I went to pick up Ma to take her to the funeral(s). It was a beautiful day, 81 degrees, but with a killer wind. I had just finished loading Ma into the car, when I turned around to see her walker flying (rolling) down the sidewalk. The wind had hit it just perfect and it was not stopping. I took off running to catch it, only to turn around and see Ma laughing- wow do I love to see her smile. I finally caught up with the walker and got it loaded. Ma was still laughing when I got into the vehicle. We were driving down the highway when my cell phone rang-it was my Mother. She said "I forgot to tell Ma that Polly has been cremated". I said "Ok". She said "Well, I'm worried she'll be really upset when she realizes she's been cremated and that there wont be a body there for her to see". I again replied with "Ok", meanwhile thinking to myself, has my Mother lost her mind? Does she think I'm going to break this down to Ma on the way there? My Mom pauses, and I say "Mom, while I'm trying to be selfless, I too have limits and my sanity is hanging by a thread here, are you serious?" My mom is laughing so hard now that she can't speak. She says while laughing "Well I just thought..." I interrupted and said laughing"You thought wrong, this is your problem, crazy!" Ma was none the wiser and we continued to drive. Ma at one point said "Boy your just going to pass everything on the road aren't you?" I laughed (ironic, that I had just gotten a speeding ticket the day before). We dropped by the family dinner and went to Polly's service. My Ma got to see a lot of old friends and family, she seemed touched to see everyone.

When we left the cemetery Ma went with my parents. I had to hurry home as Kenny had BB practice and a game. I also had to go and get Ellie Kate shoes for Homecoming- she was the escort. Ellie, Chloe and I went to Payless. I looked for shoes, but they were scarce, the worker told me that there was a Father/Daughter dance that evening and they didn't have many shoes left. We finally found a pair, they were Hannah Montana, so Ellie Kate was pumped. Side note: What happened to cheap, I'm only going to wear once, Payless shoes? They were $24.. I'll be the first one to pay good money for shoes, but Payless? I was wrong about a one time wear. She insisted on wearing them to breakfast yesterday with jean capri's, a turquoise shirt, a pink multi-colored cardigan sweater and a black and orange hair bow to accessorize:)

For some insane reason they decided to have the homecoming after the boys basketball game- genius... For the record Chloe goes to bed at 7:30 and the other two at 8:00. I called my Mom to check on Ma and she and my Dad decided they would come and watch Kenny's game and wanted to see Ellie in the homecoming. I didn't go to the gym until 8:15, despite my effort to avoid meltdowns, I failed miserably. Chloe was tired and obviously didn't want to sit there watching basketball. Madelyn was tired and laying beside me on the bench and Ellie Kate was in full fit throwing mode, beautiful dress and all. For those of you who have girls, this drama should be familiar. For those parents of boys, I'm sure you're lost right about now. Thank God my parents were there to help manage the chaos. Kenny's team lost by 1 point-good game.

Finally, the homecoming festivities began. Ellie Kate did great, biting her lip nervously most of the time. They read bio's for each participant including the escorts. When we had asked Ellie earlier in the week what she wanted to be when she grows up, she initially said a spider..? She has no concept of what that means, heck neither do I. We then asked her if she worked where would she want to work, she then said Wal-Mart. We laughed, and Kenny gave the school her answers. They read her answers in the bio and of course everyone laughed. I cant wait until she's older to remind her of what she said.

I've posted pics of Ma with old friends, Ellie at Homecoming and Kenny at the game.