this was a long weekend for me. friday off work. monday off work. 16+ hours of driving. funeral. lots going on.
my cousin the skateboarder; photo walk in the beautiful weather up north; tie dying tshirts for the family (my uncle was obsessed with tie dye); sometimes, one just needs to read, with wine, by the fireplace; the family in tie dye at the funeral reception; one of the tables with some of my uncle’s favourite things – the soo greyhounds (with signed jersey), tie dye, and his family; his sports awards and newspaper clippings; my aunt and her 2 grandkids – my 2nd cousins; my sister, the bad influence – forcefeeding cookies to our 2nd cousin; buddy the dog, attempting to escape for nibs; the two little ones cuddling in tie dye; the sunset on the evening of my uncle’s funeral (a last goodbye); a quick stop at a residential school in Spanish, on our way home (we are history nerds).
friday: i was home sick, sleeping until 4pm. i woke up to all of the lymph nodes on the entire right side of my body swollen. it was NOT a pretty sight (ohhhh the life of someone with an immune disorder). so i called in sick to work, and slept. literally all day. i then met my dad and we began our trek up north, for my uncle’s funeral. We drove until Sudbury, and stopped for the night. Our hotel room stay involved sports highlights, ‘diners drive ins and dive’s’, chips, and beer. Typical shea night.
Saturday: woke up early, and headed out. Drove direct to my aunt’s place (with a quick stop for homemade samosa’s so I – the vegan – had something to eat at the funeral), and landed before noon. My sister had arrived from teacher’s college the night before, so finally ‘reunited’ with her after a long stretch of not seeing her.
To be honest, the rest of the weekend was a blur – involving lots of planning, tie dying shirts, lots of time spent with cousins, walks in the beautiful weather, playing with the dogs, and catching up. Showing my dad and uncle youtube, laughing a lot, catching up with my cousin’s and sister. And spending time with my mom (who was hurting), and the rest of the fam. My uncle took me out to feed the cows, so I could take photos on their beautiful farm (via 35 mm… yet to be developed), and lots of time spent reading. The funeral was Sunday (so I guess I can shift to…)
Sunday: woke up, got dressed, and headed to the funeral home. spent some time visiting with relatives, and remembering my uncle. I can honestly say – despite the overall sadness of one’s passing – his funeral was the best I’ve ever been to. 2 wonderful eulogy’s, given by my uncle, and his case worker of 17 years; a wonderful presences that can only be obtained by people with the most innate compassion I’ve ever met (most of his friends also have downs syndrome); a family who understands the joy in a love filled life, of which my uncle’s certainly was. After the funeral, we went back to my aunt’s house. Ate. Talked. Laughed. Then my cousins, and sister and I went to see silent house (which was not what I expected, but really good), and then headed home to sleep.
Monday: (had the day off work to drive) woke up, did a quick stop and goodbye to my 2 aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. and headed on the road. Spent the day driving, and then when I was dropped off at home, did laundry, watched sons of anarchy, and sat in my fort (that was constructed Thursday night with the assistance of a friend). Went to bed early, as I was exhausted.
It was a good weekend. a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.
friday: i was home sick, sleeping until 4pm. i woke up to all of the lymph nodes on the entire right side of my body swollen. it was NOT a pretty sight (ohhhh the life of someone with an immune disorder). so i called in sick to work, and slept. literally all day. i then met my dad and we began our trek up north, for my uncle’s funeral. We drove until Sudbury, and stopped for the night. Our hotel room stay involved sports highlights, ‘diners drive ins and dive’s’, chips, and beer. Typical shea night.
Saturday: woke up early, and headed out. Drove direct to my aunt’s place (with a quick stop for homemade samosa’s so I – the vegan – had something to eat at the funeral), and landed before noon. My sister had arrived from teacher’s college the night before, so finally ‘reunited’ with her after a long stretch of not seeing her.
To be honest, the rest of the weekend was a blur – involving lots of planning, tie dying shirts, lots of time spent with cousins, walks in the beautiful weather, playing with the dogs, and catching up. Showing my dad and uncle youtube, laughing a lot, catching up with my cousin’s and sister. And spending time with my mom (who was hurting), and the rest of the fam. My uncle took me out to feed the cows, so I could take photos on their beautiful farm (via 35 mm… yet to be developed), and lots of time spent reading. The funeral was Sunday (so I guess I can shift to…)
Sunday: woke up, got dressed, and headed to the funeral home. spent some time visiting with relatives, and remembering my uncle. I can honestly say – despite the overall sadness of one’s passing – his funeral was the best I’ve ever been to. 2 wonderful eulogy’s, given by my uncle, and his case worker of 17 years; a wonderful presences that can only be obtained by people with the most innate compassion I’ve ever met (most of his friends also have downs syndrome); a family who understands the joy in a love filled life, of which my uncle’s certainly was. After the funeral, we went back to my aunt’s house. Ate. Talked. Laughed. Then my cousins, and sister and I went to see silent house (which was not what I expected, but really good), and then headed home to sleep.
Monday: (had the day off work to drive) woke up, did a quick stop and goodbye to my 2 aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. and headed on the road. Spent the day driving, and then when I was dropped off at home, did laundry, watched sons of anarchy, and sat in my fort (that was constructed Thursday night with the assistance of a friend). Went to bed early, as I was exhausted.
It was a good weekend. a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.
the wonderful thing about someone passing, is it gives you the oppourtunity to reflect on a person, and your experiences. and look at photos. oh the photos. my uncle, and my sister K and i; my uncle when i was not even a year old; my mom and uncle in the 80's. amazing. hair. mom.