A Wake

Thursday, April 12/18

I attended a wake today for a woman I never met before in my life and after hearing the eulogies I left the mortuary feeling like she was a part of my life and missing her deeply.

One of my coworkers lost her grandmother over the weekend and an email was sent out to a select group of employees with an invitation to attend the wake, I was fortunate enough to be one of those people as I work with her granddaughter on a weekly basis so it felt right to go and show my support for someone I consider a friend.

I sat in the back and listened to the five grandchildren talk about what Nana meant to each of them, the little things she did that made the feel special, and life lessons she imparted to each over the years.

Next up where her son-in-law and daughter-in-law to share some personal observations of the way this wonderful woman made each of them feel part of her family.

The final two speakers were her son and daughter. The love and pride each had in them for the mother she'd been to them over the years, the obstacles she'd overcome in raising them, and the moral compass she'd instilled in each of them resounded clearly as they spoke of her and the love that was always present when she was around any member of her family, whether a blood relative or an extended member.

As I sat there listening to each person share something special about Nana I couldn't help but think when my time comes I honestly hope I've had half the impact on my own family this amazing woman had on hers over the years.

I'm sad and lonely knowing that this wonderful woman is no longer there for her family, that her oldest granddaughter, my friend, will feel a little adrift in the coming days, but I hope that as she walks around the Glebe that the sun shines perfectly on a flower and reminds her of the joy she shared with her Nana, that even though she isn't here for her, that she'll never be gone from her heart.

My name is Marcus and I cried over the loss of a woman I never had the good fortune to meet and hope to one day meet her so I can thank her.............