Last Saturday (May 31), we finally held the memorial for my father. It has stormed all week so in spite of his wishes, we held the ceremony in a church instead of outside. Joke is on him.
The day was beautiful and we gathered at our house afterwards for fellowship, food and chocolate cake. My mom had the bakery decorate the cake with the symbol of his naval squadron. He was only in the navy for 4 years, but those years loomed large as he was in decline.
Even though he’s been cremated since mid-December, it is interesting to see how people mourn and what triggers some has no deep effect on others. I know my mother is glad to have this behind her. She’s been dreading it for months. It’s time she felt completely free to move on. She’s been taking steps in that direction, but now she’s completely able to do so.