Is this real life?

This weekend I wasn’t able to get any homework done due to a death in my family. My memere, who had been hanging for longer than anyone could imagine, let herself go and it was an emotional experience for us all.

The homework assignments that did remain in my mind were those 5 Golden Assignments. I went out of my comfort zone so that I could give my family what they needed at the time. I expressed my love for all of them by going up to the front of the church during mass and delivering my own words of remembrance. Whether it was the inability to put emotions into words, or just needing to hear some positive voice, I wanted to do what I could to get my family through this difficult time.

The greatest compliment I could I ever imagine getting came when my uncle told me that the words I spoke were exactly the words he would have wanted to say if he could. To be able to connect with your family and give them exactly what they need is the greatest feeling anyone could achieve—it was if these words just came to me as I woke the morning of the funeral and the collective thoughts and emotions of the entire family were expressed through me. I’m just happy I was given this opportunity.

Here is what I said…

“This morning was a brand new experience for me, as I’m sure it was for all of you as well. What made it significant to me was the sound of birds as I first woke up and the sun shining through my window as I opened my eyes. From the movies and even my own past, I’ve associated death with rain for as long as I can remember—a symbol of significant change in our lives.

But a beautiful fall day such as this can only mean one thing. Two souls, that seemed perfect in every way in all of our eyes, have not only found each other, but are now able to spend the rest of forever together. Memere and Papa are together once again. You can see the light they have created not only from the sky, but right here with a baby on the way and new families being created and new lifelong bonds being made all around us. They may seem gone, but looking at all of you shows how the world they have created for all of us has only just begun.

They introduced us to everything we know today, whether it be God; how to perfectly crack open a crab claw; or my personal favorite, how to always be able to bring family together, even if it’s just for a couple hours every Saturday morning, it was always something we could count on to be there—plus they always paid. Do our Memere a favor and live your life with love and devotion she has shown the world for 86 years. Let her continue to live on within all of you and with what you choose to do every day, and I promise you’ll never be steered wrong.”