To attend my Aunt Susie's funeral, I wore a black jacket, black crew neck shirt, and gray pants - no tie. My Dad wore a blue-gray wool jacket, white shirt, and dark pants - no tie. From my point of view it was an amazing transformation, to see Dad without a tie. I wish I'd had a camera. Without the tie, and with his white hair, and a jacket that fit him well, for the first time, to my eyes, he looked distinguished. And he walked well too (he's 89 and had a knee replacement recently), although I held his hand for some of it. He seemed to have energy. I asked him how he was feeling, how his energy-level was, as we were driving back, and he said it was good. But Margaret (Dad's 3rd wife) is less so, both mentally and physically. Anyway it was good to have a proud moment with Dad there. He looked good, and his interactions with those who met and greeted him were classy and genuine. I know, I know. Vanity. Ah, but if you can't look good ... I'm sure Oscar Wilde said something about this, something trenchant, something glorious.
Above is a picture of Dad and Margaret, with the great grandkids, Summer 2009 (in Neubergthal).
The Epps (my cousins, who've lost both parents) were out in full force, but not the three other brothers, Andy, Abe, and Ben. Neither were any of their kids. Uncle Andy's sick (Dad said so), but I think the other guys could have made an effort. I expect that if one of my siblings dies, we'll all be there, unless we just can't. These kind of things are not about convenience.
So the April Fools was on me I guess. I had a great day with my Dad, at a funeral. Really, that makes a lot of sense, given where he's at in life, and given that funerals often bring out the best in people. At least the best of intentions (for the most part, my uncles notwithstanding).
We're travelling to Steinbach for Easter tomorrow. For those of you who might (as we likely will) receive Peeps chicks as a "treat" from grandma, you'll likely be at a loss as to what to do with them? Try making Peepshi.
Today's ride: 32 ks down the 421 and back,
Wind 20k NE, a bit of rain too,
Avg speed 31 kmh
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