Tuesday, December 1, 2009

humor in the most unlikely places...



As I was reading Christina's post today about books
today, I was reminded of something funny that happened
at my dad's memorial, that pertained to a much loved book.


When my dad died, my brother & sister and their spouses went
to Florida to do all the necessary things that need to be done in the
event of a death - one of them being packing up dad's belongings
from his home. As they were packing they found a poetry book
of religious poems and brought it back for a keepsake.


The following week, we had his memorial in California, where
we all live and most of dad's friends live. His brother & sisters
came out and the morning of the memorial, we were picking
poems out of dad's poetry book for all the grandkids to read.
The two younger ones, didn't want to read anything, so they
were to just stand up with the other kids, as they took turns.

The grandkids read all the poems and I watched as they each
stood up in front of a crowd of 200 people without hesitation and
read one of grandpa's beloved poems, they had such composure
in this awful situation and I was really proud of all of them,
even the two younger ones, who just had to stand still.
After the memorial my family and I were talking about
dad's poetry book. He didn't keep alot of things, so this
book must have really meant alot to him. My mom
remembered the book when he lived with us (they had
been divorced for many years) and I saw that book when
he lived by himself, and I think my sis said she had
vaguely remembered it.
At that time my nephew who was about 10 came in and heard
us talking about the book and how special it was to grandpa.
He looked surprised and said " I found that book in the dumpster
by grandpa's condo when we were looking for boxes." I don't
know if we were delirious or exhausted, but that just struck us
as so funny and we were hysterical laughing about it.
It's funny how your mind works and how we all
remembered seeing that book at some point in time.
We all got a good laugh in a sad situation and the poems
were beautiful and ones that my dad really would have
enjoyed. He definitely would have had a great laugh
over this too. :)

12 comments:

  1. I think your Dad sent you that laughter :)

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  2. This is a wonderful story, Cathi! I especially love that all the grandkids had read from the book at the memorial service. Well, if that book didn't mean anything before, it sure does now! Thanks so much for sharing this. xoxo Gigi

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  3. Kids seem to have the most powerful qualities. What a great story you have shared.

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  4. Oh Cathi ~ what a cute story! You all clung to that book and it's memories for a reason ~ maybe it was a way to bring you comfort during that difficult time. The ending made me laugh out loud though ~ thank you so much for sharing it with us!

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  5. What a sweet story. It's funny how the littlest things van make us smile and laugh especially at a time we need it most. Have a wonderful evening! :)

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  6. Oh Cathi, I think that's so lovely.
    It doesn't really matter, as it gave you all some pleasure and a lovely story to relate everytime all the relatives get together. I think that your Dad would like that. XXXX

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  7. Such a wonderful story...the black side of sadness is often the funniest and the thing that gets you through, xv.

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  8. Aww... this is so touching. The book must mean the world to you all now.
    xo

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  9. Oh great story, it's good you could all laugh in the end.

    Sweet header,
    xxx

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  10. I love this story--so hilarious. My dad passed away this year and I understand the pressure that builds and the need to laugh at the silliest things about the dearly departed. Thanks also for the link to soul aperture--I had found the blog and then lost it until now. So glad I clicked over!

    xo

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Thanks for the smile - pass it along! xxoo

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