Thursday 29 November 2012

Sadness and Joy in equal measure.

Today has see the first of two funerals I have to attend - both of friends of long time standing.   This one was in the church in our village.

M was born only about 70 yards from the church and has lived and worked in the vicinity for the whole of her eighty odd years.   Everyone knew and loved her.

For the past year she has been more or less housebound and for the last few weeks of her life her health had deteriorated.   This does not make her death any less sad, but it was inevitable and - as they say around here - they gave her a jolly good send off.

M was of farming stock and the whole of the farming community turned out to say goodbye and to celebrate a life well-lived.   Having been in a city for so many of my adult years, I had forgotten what village funerals are like.   Town funerals tend to be rather impersonal, but there was nothing impersonal about this one.   Everyone was there because they wished to be there - nobody felt under any obligation to be in attendance.

Everyone sang lustily and afterwards everyone hugged her son and her brother - there was a culpable feeling of loving support everywhere.

One little incident made us smile.   There was so much parked traffic on the narrow lane where the church stands that the milk tanker, attempting to pass through to the farm at the bottom of the lane to collect today's milk, was held up until we came out of church.   That would have made M smile. 

11 comments:

John Going Gently said...

bittersweet and moving pat

Titus said...

It sounds like she had a life well-lived Weaver, and I hope that the funeral had the bright, clear, cold day we had here.
And you're right, at village funerals it seems to me as if the whole village always comes, whereas back home they're family and friends affairs.
I'm sorry you have lost two friends over such a short time period.

Arija said...

Yes, town and country mouse. Give me a country funeral any day. A celebration of a life well lived is really all one can ask for.

Pondside said...

It sounds like a most satisfying send-off, complete with a good story for everyone to tell afterwards!

Acornmoon said...

It is a strange thing isn't it, funerals can be very warm and loving.

Heather said...

M obviously lived a full life and had many good friends who will bring comfort to her family and each other. How wonderful to be part of a small community where this is possible. Each of you will have many happy memories to share.

Linda Metcalf said...

Well lived and apparently well loved...what we all aspire to. Not really gone, just on another journey.

Mary said...

That's the way a funeral should be - a celebration of a life well-lived. It's only sad for those left behind.........

I just realized that the word 'funeral' starts with FUN. No disrespect but it does seem to send a little message!

Hope the weather is not too bad your way - sounds lousy in the Southwest and we're heading that way soon!


Take care - Mary

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

Bittersweet....Lovely to remember your friend and to see others gathered to honor and remember her, but so sad to lose two friends in a short time........Peace and comfort to you, Weaver.

ArtPropelled said...

I did enjoy the ending of your post. As you say it would probably have given M a chuckle.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thank you for the commiserations - yes - it was quite an uplifting occasion.