| | Today I went to a wake for the first time. Actually, it's the first time I've ever seen a dead person. The setup is somber to the point of creepiness. You walk in the room, and there she is. Laying in the casket, and she doesn't really look different. Maybe a little over-makeuped, but still, she doesn't look DEAD. But you keep staring for a few seconds, and you realize that she's not breathing. She's not going to open her eyes, open the coffin and join the party. And everyone else is just standing around talking about her and what a great person she was, and what a beautiful smile she had. There are pictures of her on all the walls. Her husband and daughter stood right there surrounded by huge bouqets of flowers trying to not look sad even though they are devastated. You shake their hands, but, what do you say really? What is there to say?
All this, and she was only my great aunt's husband's brother's wife. Saying I was personally attached to her would be more than just a little lie. Still, just seeing how it can affect your family worries me. Another thing: she died of cancer and she was only 52. Makes you think about how long each one of us has. You could go 20 years after all of your friends... or 20 years before. And you don't have any idea which it's going to be until it happens. |
| | Posted 7/24/2006 12:08 AM - 12 Views - 8 eProps - 4 comments
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