esrosedotblog

MOURNING

We lived in the old house for 14 years. Our neighbors for that whole time were the Byrnes. Wonderful people who were always around, friendly, helpful in a "moral support" kind of way. Good fences made good neighbors.

Actually there was a fence but we could see over it. They were down lower than us.

Last week, Marlene was bothered by the dogs in the house we used to live in. The guy we sold to is not the best neighbor and the dogs are a neighborhood nuisance. We try not to feel responsible. We don't but we do a little teeny bit.

Marlene wanted to see what was going on so she got a chair and stood on it to peer over the wall. She fell. Into the pool. Which was empty as Bill had drained it for repairs.

She sustained major multiple injuries and got to intensive care but couldn't hold on and died.

It is very sad. They are older than we are and had a great life for 35 years in that house. Of all the people we left behind, it was hardest to say goodbye to them.

Today, we are going over to a local restaurant where they will have a memorial. Fortunately it is only a week since she died and the feelings are still there.

Out here, people wait for weeks to do a "celebration" of people's lives. Awful. I won't go.

I was brought up on funerals and wakes. Loud roaring bawling affairs where people might throw themselves on the body, pass out or just quietly visit with the other friends while the show was going on.

People got out their grief. Their feelings. Their anger and hurt.

Not here. Sweet music and platitudes. By the time they get to the "service" the body is gone, the people are over it and it is hard to remember just why we have gone to the affair. Like I said, I don't go.

But today was close enough that there will be feelings and some old friends back in the neighborhood. And nice memories of Marlene we can share. A few tears. Respects to Bill. A great loss. They were so close one wonders if he can survive.

We shall see. People do. And don't. You can never tell.

Labels: death