Saturday - The day after

Yesterday's funeral was a success. 

The limos arrived and we followed the hearse and a man walking slowly ahead for part of the way. It made us focus.

The celebrant, Gary Gotham, happens to be someone we know. He's a vicar and even though we specified no religion, he wore his collar and God was mentioned. However, we were very pleased it was someone we know and not a stranger. 

We were just 16, plus a baby, masks were worn and chairs spaced out.

Florence read a poem and she read the last paragraph of her Nanna's last letter to her children. 

Clive's video tribute hit all the right strings. One of the undertakers broke into spontaneous applause and said, "that was brilliant!" Some of us joined in and didn't realise who had started clapping until a niece told us later.  On the way out, another official told Clive it was the best they had ever seen and that the Video host company had told them the same.

MiL loved jigsaws and one completed and framed was placed at the bottom of the coffin by Gary. When the curtains closed they caught on the frame. I was worried the coffin would be taken away in front of us, but it was ok.

The Black Horse closed just for us.  The weather was perfect, there was plenty of food and we had a thoroughly lovely afternoon. We managed not to hug and more or less kept our distances.

This morning, Florence and I went for a very long walk. 

I am very proud of my husband; what wonderful son he has been to his mother.

A sigh of relief.