WHAT WAS .

I'm still reflecting on Norm Weller's Life Celebration  and lost in admiration for family members who can speak with composure of a parent and grandparent who gave such meaning to their lives. 

Pat Barber,Lou Gloin ,Rita Martin,Dick Illingworth and others were people who raised children in Aurora and gave them values and happy memories. Like Norm's their happy memories made the occasion  a real celebration.

An Irish Wake is a bit similar. Comical events are remembered and we laugh and cry and laugh some more and all the while we drown our sorrow. 

My mother's was the last funeral I attended in Scotland. Catholic ritual calls for remains to rest 

before the altar overnight. A short service happens with the congregation  in attendance.

I had not been in the church for many years. The priest offered confession to anyone who wished to take communion at mass next  morning.

For my mother I felt compelled but confession was more awkward than I remembered. 

I didn't ask for a blessing for having sinned. I simply said I couldn't remember how long since my last confession and I had probably committed every sin in the book except the biggies ; murder, adultery,stealing and destroying my neighbour's character. 

We got stuck in traffic the next morning and arrived at the church a few minutes late. Mass was

already started.  After a few generic references common to any person born in 1902 who died in 1992,

The Mass took up not a second more than needed. 

No time to linger at the church to exchange greetings with old acquaintances before speeding off to the cemetery. 

It was Saturday. I suspect the priest had a foursome waiting at the golf course.

Later, Cousins gathered at my Cousin Eileen's house and the rest of the unreal day passed In fond reminiscence. 

It was what  it was.