Comment from Marvin Calloway

Excellent

This a magnificent tale, filled with love and humor. As people say, "You can't make this stuff up."
What wonderful memories you have. I hope you never lose your memory or desire to share it.
Marv

 Comment Written 27-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 27-Oct-2016

Thank you for your wonderful review, Marv! I appreciate your five stars and the fact you reviewed it as a two cent payout!

Comment from Spitfire

Exceptional

Too bad someone didn't videotape this. It would have won the funniest home video award for more than one scene. This would make a great stand up comedy routine.
I loved the little girls making money over the free refreshments. I can see my sassy granddaughter doing that.

The priest had a sense of humor too with his comment about the dog.

And on, the innocence of a child trying to wake up the dead.

So glad I have one sixer left for this charming piece.

 Comment Written 26-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 27-Oct-2016

Hi Shari, thank you for your wonderful Six star review. I loved receiving it on this piece, especially.

Yes, it was a shi* show for sure, but as I look back, it was perfext and dad would have reveled in every minute of it, if he could have.

Thank you and have a great Thursday evening.

Comment from DonandVicki

Excellent

A very loving and beautiful tribute to your father. A very touching true story that moved me I enjoyed reading your authors notes as well.

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Oct-2016

Thank you very much, DonandVicki, for your RR&R and feedback. So very much appreciated. Have a wonderful evening.

Comment from ScarBundy

Excellent

I could relate to your story. Both of my parents were raised Catholic but in their adult lives, they strayed from that way of life. Rather than sign the agreement to raise me Catholic, they moved from New Jersey to North Carolina where my dad had more opportunities for his business to grow.

Your story enjoyable to read. My condolences to the loss of your father; I too, lost my dad. I'm sure that was a difficult time for you, but with all of the mouth-dropping moments, eventually made for a bittersweet story. I'm sure at the time, the mortification couldn't have been worse. But as time passes, you find that you can laugh at it.

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Oct-2016

Thank you, ScarBundy, for your RR&R and lovely share of your story. Of the four of my parents children, only one is a practicing Catholic today. I was until our bishop was arrested for killing a pedestrian as he drove through downtown, then left the scene of the accident. The next morning, he tried to have the vehicle damage repaired. How a man of the cloth leaves someone he caused suffering to die alone in the street is beyond my comprehension.

In the ensuing trial, his attorneys tried to fault the pedestrian. That coupled with a few other factors; treatment of gays, etc., put me over the edge.

My sympathies to you in the loss of your father as well. Thank you again for stopping by.

Comment from MelB

Excellent

It sounds like quite a funeral to remember. So hard for the little ones to understand death. It does leave an impression. I've never forgotten the first funeral I attended. I can still see the deceased in the casket in my mind.

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Oct-2016

Hi, Melissa, and thank you so much for your RR&R. Much appreciated! It truly is a concept they can't even fathom and that is probably a saving grace. I share in your experience of seeing death as a child. Over fifty years later, I can't erase the visions. I remember after one in particular, I slept in the extra bunk bed in my little brother's room for weeks.

Comment from emptypage

Excellent

Okay, Mary, I'm starting to think we might be related. I have a funny story about my grandmother's funeral. It's one of my favorite pieces.

This story made me LOL more than a time or two. I'm easy to laugh, but these are funny. A cradle Catholic myself, I absolutely understand the horror/humor of some things not everyone could get in depth.

Sounds like Bob was pretty damned impressive, a really good man. I can't imagine how much you must miss him. My dad turned seventy-five last Saturday and, in spite of some long held grudges, I had a great party for him here on Sunday with all four of his children, but I cannot imagine life without him.

Great work---again!

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Oct-2016

I need to learn your first name, because I can't keep calling you emptypage! We likely are related...you are in my tribe for sure :)
I am looking forward to reading about your grandmother's service...is it in your portfolio?

I very much appreciate your RR&R, seriously. It is so hard to get prose reviewed here. Poetry definitely is the favorite child :)
My dad was an amazing guy, and I know not everyone is lucky enough to have that blessing, so you do what you have to do to keep your sanity. Some people are best kept at arms length, so I get it. Thank you again ( ) aka empty page! Have an awesome day!

reply by emptypage on 26-Oct-2016

MARLA. That's my name. Haven't posted my funeral story here yet. I will, soon.

Comment from Judy Couch

Excellent

This is hilarious. I imagine that your dad would have laughed 'til he cried if he could have witnessed these happenings. Then again, maybe he did witness them. Maybe he was laughing harder than any of you.

 Comment Written 24-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2016

Hi Judy, thank you so much for your RR&R. I appreciate your time and talent inreviewing this story. I enjoyed your take on it and totally agree! I'm sure he was laughing too!

Comment from Heidi M

Excellent

Now that was a funeral that would not soon be forgotten! Your dad sounded like a wonderful man and I'm glad he had a memorable sendoff. Memorable because one granddaughter increased her vocabulary, while another granddaughter finally found him.
cloist(e)red closet
open casket rosar(ies)
children were in an(d) out
total (im)mersion class
mini-Martha Stewart[']s - delete apostrophe
Thanks for sharing such a touching event.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016

Hi there, Heidi! And, wow, thank you for the catches! I'm always amazed at what gets by me. Thank you so much!
I enjoyed your review and kind words very much. Have a great week, Heidi!

Comment from Phyllis Stewart

Excellent

What a beautiful story. I love the part where she found Bob. Mary, you are blessed to have such a wonderful family. I'm sure Bob watched the whole event from Heaven, and the angels laughed with him. :)

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016

Hi Phyllis, thank so much for your wonderful review and rating. I am truly blessed. Emily will celebrate her 23rd birthday on Wednesday.

Thank you so much. Have a wonderful Sunday!

Comment from Joy Graham

Excellent

You took a difficult family gathering and inserted humor, love, and grief with a delicate balance. I couldn't help seeing my own dad's funeral while I read about yours.

Well written with only one spag that I noticed.

- "was visiting with (with) a group of close family friends..."

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2016

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reply by the author on 23-Oct-2016

Thank you, Joy, for the RR&R and for the catch! Much appreciated. Happy Sunday.