My day started with a funeral for my childhood neighbour at my old parish. The event threw me into a different era several times. Firstly, I could not believe how the kids had grown up. The oldest boy sported a bow tie like his dad used to when he was dressed up and that was not lost on me. His sister looked beautiful and all grown up. When I introduced myself to her she seemed surprised to see me but there was something about her that I really liked. Perhaps it was the way she stuck close to her boys and then later her mother. She seemed to be a caregiver with a gentle heart. The other brother joked around a bit. On the eve of the feast of the Holy Family, here was a family sticking together.
I remembered babysitting the two younger kids almost weekly at one point. I could not remember where the older brother was during this time. Perhaps he was old enough to be gone and out partying himself. We all played together in our back yards, climbing trees, pretending to be characters from Dark Shadows, whiling away summer days until our parents called us in for supper. Afterwards at the reception, their cousin came over to say hello as she had joined us in some of those games. I was transported back in time to a more carefree life.
The church itself brought back memories of attending the teepee church as we called it, with a language that I never mastered though I surprised myself today as the responses and even some of the songs flowed easily from my lips. The priest, though younger than me, seemed frozen in time as he preached a homily on heaven and hell. Was this really almost 2013? He even forgot the eulogy and I could not help but wonder if it is because technically a eulogy is not to be given during the funeral mass anymore.
During the reception I met another one of the cousins with whom I used to go to school. Her brother was in my grade and she was a year older. We worked on the school paper and literary magazine together. She was still writing, for a newspaper in a large Canadian city. I was glad to see that she was living out that dream and using her gifts.
I hope that the eulogy was not abandoned altogether today. Perhaps after I left, a speech was given about this man. I think for me my neighbour embodied the French joie de vivre. He had a sparkle in his eyes that comes to mind when I think of him. I wonder about my eulogy and what people might say about me. I do not dwell on it but I am curious what will stand out for people about my life.
What about your eulogy? What do you think people will say about you?
Peace,
Suzanne
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