Sunday 12 May 2013

Mixed Emotions

Photo copyright: Maggie May

The photo is of a family prayer circle when we all went to visit my mother's cremation plot some while ago.
Most of the near family are on the photo, except for my son, who was inside the huddle taking the picture. Gloria is on the top lefthand side, whereas I am on the bottom righthand side!

The coming week will be filled with mixed emotions because my sister in law is having her funeral and yet it will also be my Birthday week. I can remember how we all had a family celebratory meal last year to mark my 70th Birthday that I didn't even expect to get to and here we are, one year later and Gloria is not here anymore and we are attending her funeral.
I will not go into the details of why her funeral has taken so long after her death, except to say there had to be an autopsy because of the somewhat unexpected timing of it. However, it was found to be cancer related.
I bought a little shrub in memory of her and it has flowers all over it at the moment and I can look at it from my kitchen window and be reminded of her whenever I look out. 

It has gone cold again and the weather has been inclined to rain. I'm hoping that it will be dry on the day of the funeral as it is to be a burial in a lovely church yard where one of my relatives lies and many people who Gloria knew are there, too. Rain is very dismal at a funeral, I always think.

I'd like it to be dry on my Birthday, too, because I am visiting five local gardens that will be open to the public for a few hours. Last year I really enjoyed doing the same, when local gardens opened to everyone who wanted to view them. However, it is not quite so enjoyable traipsing around in the rain, though I intend to go, even if it is pouring.
Does anyone know the opposite of a rain dance?


26 comments:

Expat mum said...

I hope you have the weather you wish for Maggie. x

Friko said...

Maggie, if I knew I’d be dancing it right now. We are always reminded how life can’t go on without rain, and it’s perfectly true, of course, but wouldn’t it be nice if our special days showed the sun also shines?

Sometimes it’s hard to stay appreciative.

I’ve signed in as a follower.

Rosaria Williams said...

Ah,yes, things pile up on us just when we have had plenty to carry on your shoulders. So sorry to hear about your sister in law. Enjoy your birthday; I've ordered sun and bright skies for the day.

Celia said...

Sending good thoughts your way. That's a lot to process all at once.

Sally Wessely said...

I hope for sunny skies as you go through this week. So sorry about your sister in law. May your birthday bring you joy.

Irene said...

I hope the sun shines both for the funeral and for your birthday. It would be very dismal if it rained on either day. Visiting gardens is always a fun thing to do and very educational and inspiring. You find out what works well for other people and decide to give it a try yourself. I wish I could go with you. I'm sure I would have a great time. xox

Anonymous said...

Sending lots of hugs and sunshine your way. I'm sorry for the sadness Maggie but I'm happy you are celebrating your birthday.

mrsnesbitt said...

A shrub is a lovely way to remember loved ones. I have yellow roses for mum and dad. Lovely.

Akelamalu said...

I'm so sorry for your loss Maggie, I hope the weather is kind to you for the funeral and for your birthday. xx

Dimple said...

Your family circle photo is a good one, and fits the post: a birthday (may it be happy!) and a funeral together represent the circle of life very well.

I hope you get the sunshine you want, when you want it, and that the necessary rain falls while you are in bed asleep!

Brian Miller said...

i hope all goes well with the funeral...hugs...i hope you get to enjoy the gardens...i'd dance it for you...and happy early birthday as well...

Suburbia said...

Hoping for sun for you

Sorry to hear of your loss

Thinking of you

S x

Jackie said...

Thinking of you and your family, my friend...
With love,
Jackie

Rose said...

An early Happy Birthday wish for you, Maggie! Such a mixture of emotions you must be feeling this week--wishing you lots of sunshine.

Rose

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Wishing you Happy Birthday wishes, ahead of time.

I noticed your Icon, in someone's comments. thought I remembered it. So bounced over, to look at your blog. And didn't want to stop by, without leaving a "Hi, I was here" comment.

Hope you have dry weather, for both those coming days...

Hugs,
"Auntie"

larkswing said...

Wishing you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY, sunshine on your shoulders and sweet, warm memories of your sister in law that ease the sadness. Maybe the gardens be glorius for your viewing!

Cheers!

CiCi said...

You are right, sounds like this week will be mixed emotions for your whole family. I like that you planted something that will be a reminder of your sister-in-law and that you planted it where you will see it often. I hope you are able to enjoy your birthday and be grateful for one more your yourself especially after all that you have gone through to get this far.

Hilary said...

That certainly is a powerful mix of emotions heading your way. I hope that along with them, someone will have performed a successful sun dance for you. The prayer circle image is wonderful. I will keep you, Eddie and your respective families in my very best thoughts. Hugs.

Wendy said...

Life does weave in strange patterns. I remember the joy I felt at the birth of one of my grandsons, yet returning home to dear, sick hubby was heartbreaking. Births, deaths, marriages, birthday milestones - all seemingly at once some years!

Hope you have lots of sunshine - how nice to be born in May. A lovely time of year with lilacs and forsythia and spring flowers all a-bloom!
Hugs

MARY G said...

Take your umbrella. Works like a charm.

So sorry about your sad event, but hope your birthday is serene and a time to count your blessings and remember the best about your sister-in-law.

Beryl Ament said...

I love the idea of a prayer circle.

Due to a horrible family feud, we had to wait eight months for the burial of my husband's lovely sister. It wrenched us all, especially my husband and their younger sister, apart. All in the name of love.

Secret Agent Woman said...

Hard to mix such a sad occasion with a happy one. I hoe you get lovely weather for both.

Anonymous said...

Sending you courage and very best wishes for your dear sister in law's funeral and hopes for a dry, sunny day, for your birthday.

Suldog said...

I was very saddened to hear of your sister-in-law's passing. Your brother is such a nice guy! Here's hoping for nice sunny days in your future!

Anonymous said...

Just stopping in to say hi and wish you a good weekend Maggie. Hope you have some sunny moments to enjoy!

Jeni said...

Quite a comparison you've made from last year to this year, isn't it? How life changes so much -sometimes slowly and other times, so quickly that we really don't know what's happened much less what will happen in the days ahead. Here's hoping your birthday will be one filled with family and friends and many, many positive thoughts and vibes for you for the coming year. May we find you a year from now getting ready to celebrate yet another anniversary of your life and leading all of us through that event with smiles and good cheer. Peace, Maggie.