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January 31, 2006
No Weddings But A Funeral
The last week has been a bit of a blur. My bride's mom died very suddenly and we've just been in the midst of the maelstrom of activity that such an event ignites, especially when occasioned by the passing of one who was such a presense in the communities where she lived. My Outlaws are dear, kind, sweet people, and none more so than my Mother-outlaw. Since we first met in 1988 we had much more of a mother/son relationship than a mother/rascallian-who-absconded-with-my-youngest-girl one, which is to say that when the moment required it we fought like cats and dogs over whatever principled stand of the moment existed at that second, fights which generally arose out of plans that had been made for our activities on any given day, and then just as promptly the dust would settle as if sucked down by some familial vacuum cleaner and we'd move on with no baggage to color the rest of the day.
It was such a comfort to my bride and her family, as well as a wonderful honor and testament to her mother, to see all the hundreds of folks who came to the memorial service on Sunday. How easy it is, in this day and age of experiencing life on the couch, to just sit at home and not take the time to actually thank someone who has touched your life, to shelter, conceal and cuddle memories as if they are some gift that is solely yours. But not these folks. Out they came, of all ages, in a graceful Minnesotian snow to honor a graceful lady: doctors, hairdressers, neighbors, secretaries, cleaning ladies, folks whose boat was in the third slip over on the next dock, folks who were in her sorority at KU 50 years ago; out they all came to honor her, to thank her for the wonderful way she affected their lives. Oh, she didn't merely 'touch' people's lives; she hopped right into them with both feet and grabbed you by the neck and made you a vital part of hers.
And you were so very thankful she did.
She will be greatly missed.
Posted by Mr. Bingley at January 31, 2006 06:29 AM
Comments
What a touching tribute, B. Sincerest condolences on your loss.
Posted by: Ken Summers at January 31, 2006 08:18 AM
Sorry for your loss. She sounded like a hell of a woman.
Posted by: WunderKraut at January 31, 2006 08:19 AM
Deepest condolences to you and your bride.
Posted by: Suzette at January 31, 2006 08:38 AM
Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss.
It's ideal that we can have good relationships with our spouses' parents. Because when we don't? Well, trust me, you don't want to go there.
Again, you have my deepest sympathies.
Posted by: Lisa at January 31, 2006 08:52 AM
Stunning, Bro, simply stunning. A moving tribute.
Posted by: Crusader at January 31, 2006 09:25 AM
My condolences, Mr. Bingley. A most excellent tribute.
Posted by: The_Real_JeffS at January 31, 2006 09:51 AM
I echo everyone else, Bing, a moving post, a stunning tribute.
Posted by: Cullen at January 31, 2006 10:01 AM
I'm very sorry to hear the news, Mr. B. Please pass on my condolences to your bride and daughter.
Posted by: Nightfly at January 31, 2006 01:07 PM
I can only echo everyone else: my condolences... and an excellent tribute.
Posted by: That 1 Guy at January 31, 2006 04:54 PM
So sorry to learn of your loss.
That you valued your relationship with her is obvious.
That you will continue to treasure it is, too.
That you shared it with us is so kind. Thank you.
Posted by: Susanna at January 31, 2006 04:59 PM
Sorry to hear of your loss.
AllTheBest
Posted by: Rob at January 31, 2006 05:52 PM
OH THS!!! I am so sorry to hear this!!! Many many many condolences, many many hugs!!
God be with you and your family!
Posted by: Sharon Ferguson at January 31, 2006 06:05 PM
My deepest sympathies for your loss.
Posted by: Gunslinger at January 31, 2006 07:42 PM
My condolences.
Posted by: Kathy K at January 31, 2006 08:10 PM
Deepest sympathy to you and the family. From the short visit I had, I was made welcome and a part of the family. She was a sweet, sweet woman.
Posted by: Kcruella at January 31, 2006 10:28 PM
Oh Sharon, if you could have only met her. I only did once, face-to-face, but we spoke every year at Christmas (at the minimum), she made sure I got pictures of my precious niece like clockwork and I'd always tell her I had more pictures of her on my fridge than all of the rest of the family combined. She was my sweet Sister Sue's mum, Bingley's M-I-L and Bunny Bear's maternal grandmother but she was always Ebola's 'Gramma Karen'. And this year she nabbed the phone from Bingley so she could tell me how much they'd enjoyed meeting Kcruella. And then all I heard from Kcruella was how much she enjoyed spending Christmas with them.
Being around her was like being in the presence of a wonderful kind of grace. And I adored her.
Posted by: tree hugging sister at January 31, 2006 11:09 PM
I am so so sorry for your loss.
Posted by: red at February 1, 2006 12:53 AM
Thanks folks. Your kind words will be very comforting for my bride.
Posted by: Mr. Bingley at February 1, 2006 07:30 AM
:( I'm so sorry. She sounds like someone I would have loved to meet.
Posted by: Cindermutha at February 1, 2006 08:56 AM
Mr. Bingley - My heartfelt condolences for your family - what I wrote for THS goes.
I am so embarrassed right now, though because I have somehow acquired this idea that THS and your bride are one and the same people.
I am SUCH a ditz!!!
My deepest sympathies to all those whose lives were touched by her as well as those who were closest to her. May she rest in peace.
Posted by: Sharon Ferguson at February 1, 2006 10:47 AM
Heh-heh, that's ok Sharon. What matters is that I don't confuse them ;)
Posted by: Mr. Bingley at February 1, 2006 11:19 AM
Condolences...
Posted by: -keith in mtn. view at February 1, 2006 11:33 AM
Sharon, lock your doors immediately. THS may be on the way even as we speak...
Posted by: Ken Summers at February 1, 2006 12:08 PM
I'm so sorry for you and your family. To warm memories and better times.
Posted by: Emily at February 1, 2006 03:15 PM
So sorry, Mrs. B...
Posted by: Faith at February 1, 2006 06:58 PM