Gen 2 - Chapter 7: A final Farewell

The last few weeks had passed in a blur, everyone was so distraught, especially dad. I had never seen him like this before, we were all worried about him. He wasn't eating or sleeping very well, and told mum that he wanted to quit the force so that he could spend more time with his family. We all tried to get through to him, but nothing that we said seemed to help, we didn't know what to do. I had spoke to mum and we agreed that dad wasn't in the right frame of mind to arrange a funeral, and she needed to be there to comfort him, so i took it upon myself to arrange the best funeral I could. A final farewell is what we all needed, somewhere we could all say our goodbyes in peace, and among family.

I arranged it for the coming Saturday at 10am, only family were invited. There was going to be the burial in the cemetery and a wake at my house afterwards. I was heavily pregnant by now and was hoping that the baby wouldn't come until after the funeral. Kayleigh was now fully potty-trained, and able to use it alone, which was easier for me. She was growing so fast, she had started getting quite heavy and I was having trouble lifting her. It was going to be nice having a baby in the house again, I couldn't wait to be able to hold our little boy or girl in my arms.

She was such a contented little girl, always playing by herself. She especially loved the evenings when Jacob would come home and give her a bath after dinner and then read to her, she would snuggle into him sucking her thumb and hang on his every word. He would then place her in her crib and kiss the top of her head before leaving the room. She was such a Daddies girl, it was so cute to see them interact with each other.

It was Friday night, I had had a nice relaxing bath and a cup of cocoa hoping that they would help me sleep, but I was still having trouble nodding off. It didn't help that the baby was kicking up a storm either, or that it was grandpa's funeral in a few short hours. I hoped everyone liked the poem I wrote.

I finally managed to get a few hours sleep before my alarm went off. I could hear Kayleigh talking to herself in her room, as I walked into her room her face lit up with a beautiful smile, she always makes the day brighter. I took her downstairs to give her her breakfast, before I had to get ready I called the babysitter to make sure she could still look after Kayleigh while we were at the cemetery. I took Kayleigh to her room and got her dressed then left her to play while I got myself ready.

I wore a new black maternity dress that I had bought especially for today, I pulled my hair into a half ponytail and adjusted my clip until it fell into place. Jacob was wearing a black suit, and looked very handsome. We waited for Mum and Dad to turn up before we left, Lily and Benji couldn't come because they were away seeing Benji's family. Dad was a bit disappointed that they couldn't come, but Lily promised she would come and say her goodbyes to Drandpa when they got home.

When we arrived at the cemetery we all walked over to the spot where grandpa was due to be buried, we had only been there for a few seconds before dad burst into tears. Mum pulled him into a hug, comforting him the best she could. It was horrible to see dad hurting so much and not knowing how to help ease his pain.

The Minister came over and offered his condolences before starting the ceremony. "Today we are gathered to pay our last respects to a well loved Father and Grandfather. He will be greatly missed, and always remembered in our thoughts and prayers." Upon hearing those few words I finally realised my dear Grandpa was really gone, I couldn't stop the flow of tears from falling, I felt Jacobs arms curl around me protectively as I sobbed into his shoulder. I was going to miss him so much, but what broke my heart the most is knowing that he would never get the chance to meet our unborn child and that Kayleigh wouldn't remember him. I made a promise to myself then, that I would tell them all I knew about their Great-Grandpa so that he could still be a part of their lives.

We all stood together watching as they lowered the coffin into the ground, we all took it in turns to throw a single white lily on top before the last of the earth covered the grave. The Minister said his goodbyes and left us to mourn. I waited for a few moments, enjoying the silence before clearing my throat ready to read the poem I had wrote.

I could feel the tears forming in my eyes as I spoke

"Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glint on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush,

I am the swift, uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I do not sleep.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there, I did not die!

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am the song that will never end.

I am the love of family and friend.

I am the child who has come to rest.

In the arms of the Father who knows him best.

When you see the sunset fair,

I am the scented evening air.

I am the joy of a task well done.

I am the glow of the setting sun.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I do not sleep.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there, I did not die!"

As I finished I could see that everyone was crying, I felt bad for upsetting them even more, but knowing my speech had moved them made me feel slightly proud that I could this for Grandpa.

We all had a few moments of silence at the grave before heading home, Kayleigh was in bed when we got back, not wanting to disturb her I left her to sleep. I got everyone settled into the living room and went into the kitchen to make drinks. I was about to carry the tray through when I felt a huge gush between my legs, I looked down and saw a puddle of water, oh god this can't be happening now I thought as the first flush of pain hit me............ .

Stay tuned for chapter 8 of The Stone Family Legacy to see the baby :)