Day 1 seemed without end - tears, crying, holding each other, praying, saying the Rosary - both of us unable to function at all. Doug and Anna drove us home. Hours spent on the phone talking with family, sharing the bad news. Falling to our knees constantly in prayer.
Day 2 is a blur. All the family met with the funeral director - a long time friend, never thinking this would be necessary - yet there we all were. Tears, crying, holding each other, more praying. We spent time with Mark. He was dressed in his favorite shirt and tie. Falling to our knees constantly in prayer.
Day 3 saw more guests arrive to express their condolences. Some folks surprised us with special recognitions for Mark. It brings some comfort to know he is remembered forever in a special Mass the Marian Society offers. So much food we did not have to bother cooking - this meant we could spend time with each other and friends. Falling to our knees constantly in prayer.
Day 4 was filled with anticipation, dread, more tears, crying, holding each other, more praying. We all prepared for THAT day, the next day. Falling to our knees constantly in prayer.
So many family and friends gathered together on Day 5. Some could barely contain the tears, others did not bother. Many shared stories about their beloved friend and brother - much laughter, much tears. Leigh was very brave as she spoke about Mark, I could not stop crying - still can´t. That final moment - none of us wanted to leave him - still cannot believe this happened - the acceptance is finally settling in, though sometimes we think about calling him or sending him a text. Falling to our knees constantly in prayer.
This scenario repeats itself year after year. The ¨ambushing waves of grief¨ capture us both and separately so many times during the day, and June 1st through June 5th have been especially difficult. So many family and friends remember with us to keep his memory alive, and we are so grateful for our faith, and the love of our Holy Mother, and our Father in Heaven.
Falling to our knees constantly in prayer.
Thanks to Janis Gibbs for the ´ambushing waves of grief´.
