A sad time

Saturday I went to a funeral.  It was the first funeral I’ve attended since arriving in Australia.  In was held at a crematorium about 40 minutes from home.  The service hall we used was lovely in any sense of the word.  There were pews slanted on each side.  The wall on the right was glass and had water slowly running down it.  Outside there were beautifully manicured gardens, green and lush.  It wasn’t a very hot day but the cool air-conditioning that blew managed to keep the place fresh.  The coffin was placed in the front with a bouquet of multi-coloured roses on top.  To the left sat three musicians with guitars in their hands strumming beautiful melodies.   It was a sad occasion but the environment could not have been more tranquil.  I didn’t know Margaret well however we did cross paths a fair few times and I felt like I could help with the wake afterwards aswell as offer my support.  It was good to see the amount of people, friends and family who arrived.   Clearly this lady was dearly loved and will be painfully missed.  She touched every person she met. Story after story came.   As her son Jerome stood to give the final words and eulogy he broke down.  His pain was so raw and real.   I found myself remembering what seems like only a few months now the pain and heartache I went through when Dad passed.  It isn’t a few month though, more like going onto two years now.  Jerome put it wisely as he said “our departed loved ones leave a hole inside that nothing can fill.”  We learn to carry on but the void that the person left is always there.  Death always confronts us with many emotions and it is uncomfortable at each turn however I would like to think it brings about a good change and causes positive reflection. 

After the service we made our way back to the hall where the refreshments would be.  The family had been drawn from many different parts of the country and so this time was filled with conversations.  As it wound down a song came over the speaker loud and clear.   A song that described Margaret to a T.  The name of the song was “I did it my way”.  Margaret did things on her terms; she was a fiercely independent woman who raised six children on her own.  She lived a full and rich life and passed away at the fruitful stage of 81.   May you rest in peace Margaret.