And The Whole Town Came.........

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Today has been a bittersweet day. Today our little of town of less than a hundred souls buried one of their own. I was up early to get to the town hall to help the Ladies Committee set up for the funeral. We only have one Church here and it's Catholic and they won't do funerals for non-members. Like God cares! Anyway, as a result, when a long time resident dies, we hold the funeral in the town hall, set up an alter at the front and chairs, and arrange food for a wake afterwards in the basement rooms. The Catholic Church does let us have the loan for the day of some proper pews for the immediate family. I was on my way out the door of my house to do my bit, when I caught the Olympic race that had Jamaica winning the gold and had to stop and drop a post about it, I was so proud of them! Then off to the hall I went, and blow me down what a zoo! Everyone who lives within a 20km radius was there and running back and forth, up and down and getting the place ready for the service. If you want something done in record time with style and class, get a group of women together! They are wonders and poetry in motion. Before long things settled and the family and mourners started taking their seats. The service was ecumenical and very moving. I learned so much about the deceased from all the little stories told and memories shared. I also learned a lot about my town and the respect and reverance they hold for the founding families. I was actually intimidated that the position I hold in my town had previously been held by people of far more substance and character than I. It was a humbling experience to hear the history of my town and the parts played by the ancestors of,( and) the deceased. Amazing what you learn in the most unlikely places! After the service and before the 'wake' the entire congregation formed a line behind a black draped horse drawn wagon, that led the procession to the town cemetary for the interment. The weather was hot with cool breezes and sunny, so the association with an old fashioned movie scene was more difficult to make but spot on all the same. Bagpipes played Rock of Ages and Amazing Grace the whole way and everyone sang. It was one of the most incredible things I have ever been a part of. I put in a brief appearance at the 'wake' to pay my respects to the family, but had to come home and take the weight off my back. It got quite a workout going up and down those stairs at the hall fetching and carrying and organizing and directing and doing my duty. On Monday morning we have to do the same thing all over again for another resident who passed this week. His funeral will be in the early morning though. But I still have to bake another large batch of raspberry tarts for it! lol When was the last time you took part in a town function that moved you to tears?