When Irish Eyes are Smiling...
Well, the funeral was beautiful. It was on Saturday and it was perfect. The sun was shining and it was a warm day. My Nanny got everything she wanted. She had a nice purple dress and people sent tons of flowers, with the predominant color being purple. I had to tell my parents what she wanted, because she only told my sister and I when we were younger, way before she got sick. There was nothing in her will about her wishes, so I made sure I remembered them all of these years. The one thing I forgot to tell them was that she loved the Irish Prayer, and that she wanted it incorporated in some way. I felt guilty in a way because after my parents made the funeral arrangements, I realized I had forgotten to tell them about the prayer.
I showed up to the funeral home and I cried as I walked in because she looked so natural and everything around her was perfect. The colors of the flowers were lively, just like her personality. After I went up to see her (we were the only ones there yet because we were the immediate family), I went over to look at the little memorial cards that they give out for the person.
The dove symbolizes her freedom from her illness.
Sure enough, my parents picked the Irish Prayer for the card, without realizing that she had wanted it or how much she had loved it! Now, keep in mind that my parents are not religious, but my Nanny was. When I looked at this side of the card, I ran up to my father with tears in my eyes, because I couldn't believe it. My parents were also astounded.
So many people were there and it was so nice to remember what an amazing person she was. My cousin Denise (who is a grown woman, and was also very close to her) made the point that she was everyone's Nanny, and it was true. Denise was telling me about how way before I was born when she was growing up Nanny would feed any kid in the neighborhood who had nothing to eat and take care of them. If anyone needed anything she would give it to them. She never wanted anyone to feel unloved, because she knew what that was like since she was in an orphanage from the time she was an infant. Nanny was like my third parent, and she lived with us my entire life and helped raised my sister and me. Family was so important to her, and she was the most kind and giving person I've ever known. If I can be half of what my Nanny was, I will know that I lived a good life.
I showed up to the funeral home and I cried as I walked in because she looked so natural and everything around her was perfect. The colors of the flowers were lively, just like her personality. After I went up to see her (we were the only ones there yet because we were the immediate family), I went over to look at the little memorial cards that they give out for the person.
The dove symbolizes her freedom from her illness.
Sure enough, my parents picked the Irish Prayer for the card, without realizing that she had wanted it or how much she had loved it! Now, keep in mind that my parents are not religious, but my Nanny was. When I looked at this side of the card, I ran up to my father with tears in my eyes, because I couldn't believe it. My parents were also astounded.
So many people were there and it was so nice to remember what an amazing person she was. My cousin Denise (who is a grown woman, and was also very close to her) made the point that she was everyone's Nanny, and it was true. Denise was telling me about how way before I was born when she was growing up Nanny would feed any kid in the neighborhood who had nothing to eat and take care of them. If anyone needed anything she would give it to them. She never wanted anyone to feel unloved, because she knew what that was like since she was in an orphanage from the time she was an infant. Nanny was like my third parent, and she lived with us my entire life and helped raised my sister and me. Family was so important to her, and she was the most kind and giving person I've ever known. If I can be half of what my Nanny was, I will know that I lived a good life.