Blah, what is with all the death?
I'm in Ireland on the slowest high-speed connection imaginable. I swear I've had dial-up connections that have been faster.
Darcy was perfect on our 10-hour plane ride. There was one other baby about her age on the plane, but we saw them drug her before we took off. For being completely sober, Darcy didn't fuss much and didn't annoy people around her. Huzzah!
On a bad note, Niall's godmother had a brain hemmorage the day before we got here. She was walking in a park and just collapsed. Niall is absolutely devastated and it's been hard to see him so upset. He was so excited about coming home so she could meet Darcy. Of all the people in his life, Florence always fought his corner and always stood up for him even when everyone else thought he was wrong. The first several days of our vacation has been filled with really depressing stuff related to her death and everyone has gone to bits. First there was the mass on Thursday that took place at the same time that they were turning off the machines keeping her alive. Then there was the family/friends viewing of the body at the home on Friday. Yesterday was the public viewing of the body at the home. Today is the funeral mass and the actual burial.
I'd never been to an open casket viewing in someone's home before so that was a completely new experience. Apparently this type of thing is common in the west of Ireland. We walked straight up to the coffin and Niall told me to touch her hand, move up towards the head of the body, say a quick prayer, and then greet his godmother's family. Everyone kept saying how beatiful and peaceful she looked in the casket, but to me, she looked and felt nothing like the vibrant, energetic person she was in life. What I can't understand is how the family, especially the small children, copes with two full days of people coming through the house to view your loved one. On the family/friends night, Niall and I went by at 10pm while his sister watched Darcy. The house was packed and there was barely anywhere to park. Yesterday for the public viewing, the police department and fire brigade had to help direct traffic.
As a result, Darcy and I have been hanging out at home with Blitz (the dog) in front of the fire. It has been too cold, windy and rainy to go anywhere with her and she has a cold. Not much of a vacation really. Part of me can't wait to go home.
Darcy was perfect on our 10-hour plane ride. There was one other baby about her age on the plane, but we saw them drug her before we took off. For being completely sober, Darcy didn't fuss much and didn't annoy people around her. Huzzah!
On a bad note, Niall's godmother had a brain hemmorage the day before we got here. She was walking in a park and just collapsed. Niall is absolutely devastated and it's been hard to see him so upset. He was so excited about coming home so she could meet Darcy. Of all the people in his life, Florence always fought his corner and always stood up for him even when everyone else thought he was wrong. The first several days of our vacation has been filled with really depressing stuff related to her death and everyone has gone to bits. First there was the mass on Thursday that took place at the same time that they were turning off the machines keeping her alive. Then there was the family/friends viewing of the body at the home on Friday. Yesterday was the public viewing of the body at the home. Today is the funeral mass and the actual burial.
I'd never been to an open casket viewing in someone's home before so that was a completely new experience. Apparently this type of thing is common in the west of Ireland. We walked straight up to the coffin and Niall told me to touch her hand, move up towards the head of the body, say a quick prayer, and then greet his godmother's family. Everyone kept saying how beatiful and peaceful she looked in the casket, but to me, she looked and felt nothing like the vibrant, energetic person she was in life. What I can't understand is how the family, especially the small children, copes with two full days of people coming through the house to view your loved one. On the family/friends night, Niall and I went by at 10pm while his sister watched Darcy. The house was packed and there was barely anywhere to park. Yesterday for the public viewing, the police department and fire brigade had to help direct traffic.
As a result, Darcy and I have been hanging out at home with Blitz (the dog) in front of the fire. It has been too cold, windy and rainy to go anywhere with her and she has a cold. Not much of a vacation really. Part of me can't wait to go home.