Everyone behaved.
Phew!

I had a moment when we got there, pictures that weren’t expected hit me hard, But I pulled it together. The sister who doesn’t speak to me was there, left immediately – but that’s on her, I didn’t even say hello to her, so if she wanted to run from me, that’s not my problem.

My great nephew, who is studying to be a doctor, was there with his mom (he’s the grandson of M, who doesn’t speak to me) I adore that boy. I guess he’s a man now, but he’ll always be the little boy who shared a rootberry snowcone with me every year at the Fair. THAT made me cry. I so rarely hear from him, he’s so busy with his studies.

There were a few moments – the final song was Vince Gill’s “Go rest high on that mountain.” Yeah, who chose that one? It wouldn’t have been my sister’s choice, I think she would have preferred Elvis. 🙂

So I made it through. Then my dear friend, who brought me the two things guaranteed to make me smile yesterday – yarn and fabric – and who accompanied me to the service – took me to dinner at the local Italian restaurant. The young girl who escorted us to our table looked familiar. I said her name with a question mark. – she responded. I told her, “I’m your great-aunt.” (Her grandmother is M, who doesn’t speak to me. ) I’ve only seen this kid a few times in her life, but when I asked if we could get a picture together, she readily agreed.

So a day of sadness was lightened by two young people – two kids I’ve loved all their lives, in the same way my sister loved me.

I’ll be okay. And when I’m gone, I hope they remember me with the same love and joyful hearts that I remember my sister.

See you on the side, Nancy