Thursday, December 1, 2011

and they came




All the relatives and friends gathered and said goodbye, and then we shared our stories and we laughed- a lot. Granny wanted very little in the way of a service - she said to "just get that bit out of the way" She wanted a party with all her family , just like her 100th birthday, so that is what we did.
Like all gatherings of the clan, given half a chance the music will follow. Great grandkids sprang forth with guitars and bongo's and a little bit of didge. Aunts and Uncles and nephews and nieces sang quietly and then sang loudly. People fortified themselves with drinks and food and sang some more , and told funny stories, and those kind of weird happy/sad stories and even a few ribald stories. There were moments of quiet and moments of thigh clenching laughter. We all learnt new things about Granny and her amazing travelling life. and in the mix, somewhere in the laughter and the grief I think we all realised that we do quite like each other as well. We have years of shared history, the inlaws and the outlaws, we have rubbed up against each other for a pretty long time now. Those that we rarely see were greeted and hugged and welcomed and those familiar took up their roles and helped and served and moved things along and kept things flowing.


In her physical absence Granny orchestrated something wonderful







In the early evening as Jemma and Connor sang and played their own (crazy) rendition of Joelene I did think, that when the time comes, that this day in my house with its mess and crumbly bits and embarrassing carpets, would be as good a farewell as one could wish for.


(Thankyou)

48 comments:

  1. What a beautiful tribute. Thankyou for sharing the moment and your thoughts :)

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  2. Those times can give some of the best laughter ... belly aching, eyes watering, uncontrollable laughter.
    Very healing!!
    xx

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  3. awesome post, loved it! Big hugs.

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  4. I agree, what a beautiful tribute! When someone dear and cherished leaves us, tears of sadness are so highly emphasized that we tend to forget the good times and great memories that person has left behind. Wanting a party and to celebrate a life is wonderful way to remember someone.

    Thank you for sharing such a personal event. :)

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  5. As you know I had a very important farewell not that long ago and I understand exactly what you mean . I'm glad it went so well and it helped you all .

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  6. Thanks for sharing. I have tears streaming down my cheeks. The photos of the family's feet got me. Beautiful. xx

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  7. Kirsty from pompomrougeThursday, December 01, 2011

    Gorgeous. And perfect.

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  8. That is an awesome post .... and I love the shots of the feet .... it is one great post and a wonderful tribute.

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  9. I love the shoe shots (and blue toe-nails!) in this. Tho that second bloke shoe shot looks like a brown shoe in the foreground and black in the background...
    What a wonderful send-off for your Granny. Are you able to tell us a little of heer wondrous adventures? She sounnds like she was a fantastic matriarch and pretty special role model, too.
    Thank you.

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  10. It seems like Granny Boo walked the road less travelled...just like this post.

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  11. I missed the post about the passing of your grandma - but thank you for sharing her service with us - and the lovely way you and your family celebrated her life.

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  12. Sounds wonderful. Big hug for you. (teary now!)

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  13. Real life sending off of a loved one--that's FAMILY. Glad you had the time together to celebrate Granny.

    Loved your photos.

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  14. It sounds like a fabulous send off! I'm sure Granny Boo would have been delighted. Lucy xx

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  15. Very nice. And perfect-sounding.

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  16. I cried like a beast at my grnadmothers funeral. This sounds like how a granny should be rememberd! Very touching that you shared this.

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  17. I love the shots of feet all dressed up in honor of Granny Boo. She was there in spirit and I'm sure it made her happy. :)

    Hugs to you and your family.

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  18. I think I'd like a send off just like Granny's... my family all coming together to share music, fond memories and generally celebrating a well lived life.
    A beautiful tribute to Granny Jodie.

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  19. Oh Jod - love that you are a singing family - love the photos - and love the wonderful send off you gave Granny Boo.

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  20. Totally. That's the way to go make an exit.

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  21. I'm sure granny would have been smiling down and really "P"ed she missed a great get together.

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  22. That sounds like a lovely way to remember granny! Big hugs to you and your family.

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  23. It sounds like the perfect send off for a much loved lady. None of us could wish for more.

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  24. Gorgeous shoes... apart from the bloke's... couldn't he have worn a fab pair of heels just once?! Granny would have giggled at that, methinks!

    So long as Granny B is remembered, she is still around... so nobody forget her, got it?!

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  25. What a wonderful send-off. Granny Boo would have loved it. I bet she is giving you all the thumbs up wherever she is. x

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  26. What a wonderful way to go. If only that we all could go that way....

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  27. You made me cry and you made me happy with that lovely post. Good job by you and your family.

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  28. Very inappropriate, but I am lusting after the heels. Gorgeous shoes.

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  29. Sounds like a fabulous farewell. Life should be a celebration.

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  30. Such a beautiful post about what obviously was a truly beautiful tribute and celebration of life.
    Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

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  31. What a magical post! i LOVE the aspect of the shoes. Move over Dad, here comes Granny Boo!

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  32. Wonderful post and perfect tribute...love the pictures...very telling!

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  33. Beautiful post.
    Love the feet.

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  34. It sounds like it was a great celebration of her life. All of the pictures are fantastic! Thank you for sharing with us :)

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  35. Thank you so much for sharing such a personal occasion.

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  36. what an amazing tribute. I truly wish i was a part of your family, to be remembered with such joy, music, life and love has to be the biggest compliment of all.

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  37. What a cool glimpse into your family through their shoes! A wonderful tribute to Granny.

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  38. I haven't been keeping up with the blog world so I've been ignorant of the momentous event. So sorry to hear, but so glad you managed to find some sparkly bits in the shit heap of death. The send off sounds grand - I'd definitely sing along if I was there no matter how out of tune I was.

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  39. Sounds like the perfect sendoff.

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  40. So clever, Jodie, to give the family their privacy, but bringing us into the gathering by way of the feet. Very cool.

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  41. So sorry to hear of your Granny's passing Jodie,
    I do think you did her proud though - it seems you fashioned a fantastic celebration of her life and legacy - best parting gift ever. xx

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  42. Who could ask for more?

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Hellloooooo !!!!