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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

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Thursday, October 13, 2011

To Everything There Is A Season

I think the planning is done.  I met yesterday with the person in charge at the church and we went over every detail of my mother-in-law's funeral Mass.  She was pretty specific before she died about what she wanted and didn't want, which really made it a lot easier on me.  She wanted included with "Ave Maria" and other hymns two songs:  "Always" and "Leaving on a Jet Plane".  The former was her and my FIL's favorite song; the latter was a song that the basketball team she took to the finals in 1976 wrote different/ germane lyrics to.  Several of the players are going to sing this during the Mass.

There was a huge surprise during the meeting:  we had been told that the ladies of the parish would take care of the food.  Father was mistaken -- they don't at all.  So yesterday I was scrambling for a caterer.  Found a great one with my husband and DIL's help and have even received the contract already.  WHEW!!  

Hilda wanted me to write her obituary - (already run in the local papers, The Baltimore Sun, and The Washington Post) -  and the eulogy which I will deliver at the end of the Mass.  I tried to include in the Mass readings that would comfort and uplift including the Prayer of St. Francis and Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.    The Mass is not until the 22nd so at least for now, I'm feeling on top of things.

8 comments:

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

Kathy, it's so nice that your mother-in-law let you know what she would like. My MIL passed away in July, and when we left her service we all said, "This is exactly what she wanted." Even the parts that she didn't speak about were done to satisfy what she would have liked. I hope you and your family find some comfort in the preparations for a beautiful tribute. God bless.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Sounds as if you have been busy... Wish everyone would plan their own funerals like that ahead of time.. It does make things much easier...

Mom Adams did not ---and they had no music at her funeral which just broke my heart, since music was her favorite thing. Apparently, they had tried to get someone to sing from her church --but they couldn't find anyone????

Can't believe what churches don't do anymore when it comes to funerals... Mom and Dad Adams were very active for many years... The minister wouldn't even preach until we paid him $100... I was a little bit irritated as you can imagine, even though I'm sure we would have paid him. AND--the church didn't provide lunch either...

Times have changed, haven't they????? Sounds like your MIL was a nice lady--and what you have done for her is special. Love her choice of music!!!! So HER.

Hugs,
Betsy

Purple Flowers said...

I am sure your MIL is very happy that you and your husband are taking good care of her last wishes. It is very important to have reliable and thoughtful people at this time, and you are the perfect fit.
Take Care.

Cheryl said...

I'm glad you're all set, and I'd love to read the obituary. I love the songs your MIL requested. Are you singing? That would be something!

Happy Friday!

Forsythia said...

Life has its little surprises, such as finding out that the ladies of the parish do not take care of the food. True, you had to scramble to find a caterer, but wow! what would have happened if you'd learned the truth closer to the date of the funeral. It sounds like, thanks to you, she will have the funeral she wanted and that it will be a life-affirming experience for family and friends.

Gilly said...

Funerals always seem to take up so much time, but when it all goes right its a great moment of relief and pride that you've done the best for whoever has died.

I hope it all goes well for you on the 22nd

Mage said...

You are doing so very well with all this. I care and wish I could help. Here in some churches, the ladies still do the food. Sorry her's don't.

Lena said...

I also think it is wonderful that your MIL let you know what she wanted done at her funeral. It does make it easier and you will be satisfied that she would be happy with it all.

I am so glad you found a caterer in time. Whew!