Just a couple of thoughts. Recent family funerals I have attended have made most of us realize we only reunite during these occasions. After we get together for this event., we always say we should get together more often and not just for a funeral. But never follow through.
Concerning your MLB piece about the stars who haven't won a WS ring, I would add Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado on my list. Probably my birds on the bat bias showing.
I have also been very fortunate to attend a limited number of funerals in my life, and I've only been in the receiving line for two. The first was my grandmother, and I don't remember much about that one, it having been a number of years ago. But the second one was for my father, just last year. He died somewhat unexpectedly, so there was a fair amount of shock mixed in with everyone's grief. My dad was very outgoing, and he taught high school and coached sports for almost 40 years, so the turnout was heartwarmingly large.
I have not lived near my parents for most of my adult life, so there were quite a few people I either didn't know or hadn't seen in a very long time. I found myself smiling through most of the hour-long line, excitedly greeting old friends. It seemed very out of place in that setting, and in my head I kept thinking maybe I should tone it down. But it also felt like what my dad, who loved people, would have wanted - to see all his favorite people coming together in one place to celebrate him and maybe take some joy from that instead of only grief. I still think about that day all the time and wonder what people thought of how I approached that receiving duty. But I always come back to the idea that it was the right approach.
All this to say - I agree with you that funerals are odd situations. And that I'm also dreading having to attend more and more of them as time marches on.
I love that you highlighted the beautiful together of funerals: your calling it a parting gift will be my much simpler phrase. When my grandma died, I got to spend a week with my cousins geography never allowed. I have so many photos from that somber time.
Thank you for this. It was beautiful. Thanks for sharing this reflection, another parting gift of your uncle, with us.
Thank you, Will. 💜
Just a couple of thoughts. Recent family funerals I have attended have made most of us realize we only reunite during these occasions. After we get together for this event., we always say we should get together more often and not just for a funeral. But never follow through.
Concerning your MLB piece about the stars who haven't won a WS ring, I would add Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado on my list. Probably my birds on the bat bias showing.
I-N-I
Great win!
I have also been very fortunate to attend a limited number of funerals in my life, and I've only been in the receiving line for two. The first was my grandmother, and I don't remember much about that one, it having been a number of years ago. But the second one was for my father, just last year. He died somewhat unexpectedly, so there was a fair amount of shock mixed in with everyone's grief. My dad was very outgoing, and he taught high school and coached sports for almost 40 years, so the turnout was heartwarmingly large.
I have not lived near my parents for most of my adult life, so there were quite a few people I either didn't know or hadn't seen in a very long time. I found myself smiling through most of the hour-long line, excitedly greeting old friends. It seemed very out of place in that setting, and in my head I kept thinking maybe I should tone it down. But it also felt like what my dad, who loved people, would have wanted - to see all his favorite people coming together in one place to celebrate him and maybe take some joy from that instead of only grief. I still think about that day all the time and wonder what people thought of how I approached that receiving duty. But I always come back to the idea that it was the right approach.
All this to say - I agree with you that funerals are odd situations. And that I'm also dreading having to attend more and more of them as time marches on.
I love that you highlighted the beautiful together of funerals: your calling it a parting gift will be my much simpler phrase. When my grandma died, I got to spend a week with my cousins geography never allowed. I have so many photos from that somber time.
Thank you for this. It was beautiful. Thanks for sharing this reflection, another parting gift of your uncle, with us.
I-N-I!!
Goldy and Arenado aren't stars anymore... (sniffles)
Great piece! I will soon have to start going to funerals as well, because I've been lucky for the past 35 years and haven't lost any close family.
That will soon change, and I don't dwell on it. But I have given it some preliminary thought although nothing good has come of THAT.