Laurie's Funeral

Well, I haven't blogged in a few days. I needed to get past the funeral. After all, it's hard to follow up a deep post like the last one with a clown story or a New Year's resolution.

We had the funeral today. It was held at the graveside at Forest Lawn in Cypress. The wind chilled us and the rain drizzled a little. I couldn't feel my toes. Appropriate weather for a funeral.

I know it's a celebration of her life. I know she is happy and whole right now, yet everyone still wore black.

Wind and rain worked.

Despite the tragedy of the situation, it didn't have a sad ring to it however. We still laughed and talked about Laurie and caught with family members we haven't seen since the last funeral.

So now, for Laurie's husband and kids, life starts... again. Without her. Tom told me that it dawned on him last night as he ate out with his daughters, Lauren's boyfriend, Nichole's husband and her in-laws that he would always be a third wheel.

That stabbed my heart.

To always have a partner, no matter what happens, you have a partner, and then to... not.

I don't think he'll be a third wheel. I told him his kids would be more grateful for him than ever. He's all they have.

Yet, despite everything, I think he will be O.K. His faith in God just got a very big jump start. He'll be O.K.

So we said good-bye to Laurie. Tim and his siblings said good-bye to their sister. Josh, Lauren and Nichole said good-bye to their mom. Tom said good-bye to his wife and countless nieces and nephews said good-bye to Aunt Laurie.

I can't believe she's gone.