3 Sept 2010

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 :)

23 comments:

Thea said...

Fabulous as always Kim. Every one is better than the last!

strelitzia19 said...

Thanks Thea, glad you liked it :)

Jojo777 said...

Aaah, great chapter, but so sad :(

I want to see the baby!!

strelitzia19 said...

Thanks Jojo, it won't be long before the next chapter I promise :)

Kittycattylion said...

the poem was beautiful, really.
oh, dear, poor Lyra, not now!!

strelitzia19 said...

Thanks kitty, I know the baby obviously wants to come now lol :)

Anonymous said...

Oh no she's in labor!! Also, that poem at the funeral was freakin' awesome! It was so beautiful. :) Great update. Can't wait till chapter 8!! :D

strelitzia19 said...

Hi Jen, yea I had to keep re-loading my save to get the shots because she kept going into labour lol :)

Charlie12309 said...

Wonderful update as usual, loved the poem it was so beautiful.
I want to see the baby :)

strelitzia19 said...

Thanks Charlie :)

starling68 said...

The funeral made me get all teary :'(
I can't wait to see the new baby though!
:)

strelitzia19 said...

Thanks starling :)

Anonymous said...

Wonderful chapter it was sooo sad,

I loved the use of the poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye. It just seemed to fit so well!

Strange how a poem written way back in 1932 can still cause us to sit back and contemplate life :) It's so beautifully written its timeless.

Can't wait for the next chapter

strelitzia19 said...

Thank-you, yeah I know I searched on the internet for funeral poems and that was among the first few that came up, as soon as I read it I knew it was perfect. :)

jen said...

Strelitzia19 said: "I had to keep re-loading my save to get the shots because she kept going into labour lol" end quote.

Haha!! that's hilarious! I've had that problem before... >_> so hard to make stories sometimes, isn't it?!

strelitzia19 said...

Yes it is lol, a big huge pain in the bum :D

Berry said...

Oh my how sad! :( Poor guys! Can't wait to see the baby! Kay is such a doll :)

strelitzia19 said...

Thanks berry :)

Hugzies said...

*sniffles* that poem is so sad! Baby chose a sad time to make his/her appearance!

Anonymous said...

I thought that poem was a song . . . I had to sing it for All-Region choir in seventh grade. :D

Anonymous said...

Babies always choose the most awkward times to arrive. Lol.

Valpre said...

I think it was sad, but such a dignified send off for Billy. I love that poem :)

strelitzia19 said...

Thanks guys :D

Welcome To The Stone Family Blog.


I would like to introduce you to my founder, Jenna Stone and her husband Claude Stone.


Jenna's traits are:

Born Saleswoman

Eco-friendly

Bookworm

Family Orientated

Artistic

Her favourite's include:

Pop

Waffles

Aqua

Jenna is an artistic person, and can always be found painting her worries away. She wants a big family, she say's a home filled with laughter is the place to be. When she isn't painting she can be found either out in the garden or at the library reading. Being Eco-friendly she likes to recycle, take quick showers and just generally take care of the planet. She still remembers the first day she met Claude like it was yesterday. He was walking past as she left the library, and her being the bookworm that she is had her head stuck in her favourite book and bumped into him. Claude caught her and as their eyes met they instantly felt the attraction towards one another, and from that day they never left each others side.


Claude's traits are:

Family Orientated

Schmoozer

Charismasitic

Athletic

Ambitious


His favourites include:

Pop

Autumn Salad

Irish Green

Claude is very athletic, most days he can be found working out at the gym or with his family.He is also very charismatic and loves to make friends and meet new people. He is very career orientated and because he is a schmoozer he makes friends with colleagues very quickly. He is very family orientated and would love 4 or 5 children. He has always wanted a large family and never thought it would be possible until he met Jenna. He and Jenna were engaged within 6 months of meeting, they had a whirlwind romance and neither could imagine life without the other.





What will the future hold for the Stone's.