Candy Rant

"I killed a rat with a stick once."

Monday, June 02, 2008

Update

Tonight is the "visitation" for my brother-in-law. Tomorrow is the funeral. The owners of the funeral home are expecting this to be the highest attended service the town has seen in a very long time. My sister is a grade school media specialist (her husband was killed on her last day of school for the year), and 28 of her co-workers drove en masse to her house to see her yesterday. Before they left, I asked them to come outside for a prayer. We stood in a big circle and held hands and I thanked God for the 40 years she had with the love of her life, and for all the people who love her and who loved him, and asked for an extra measure of strength for her. For God to hold her in his hand like a tiny baby, and to assure her that he is along for the awful ride.

I have never seen anyone be so shredded and so strong at the same time.

Pat, my brother-in-law, loved his dog, Petie, so much that Petie has been given a fresh bath so she (yes, a female named Petie) can go to the funeral. My sister has gathered up several things to put into the casket with Pat. She had her grandkids give Petie a good brushing, then they put the hair from the brush in a ziploc bag to lay next to him.

In a few days, I will need to write more about all this, and so again I will give you a Bleakness Warning. I never intended for this blog to become a hub of grief. It is just what keeps me functioning.

18 Comments:

  • At 1:03 PM, Blogger Norma said…

    I wish I could give you a big hug

     
  • At 5:05 PM, Blogger Unknown said…

    Here and listening, and wishing the same as norma. Be well, or as well as you can.

     
  • At 5:18 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Prayers all around, Candy.

     
  • At 8:15 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    You are in our thoughts and please know that a family in Aotearoa, New Zealand are thinking of you, may the light shine your way forward.
    Henry,Annette,Rosa and Ruby.

     
  • At 10:54 PM, Blogger Candy Rant said…

    Thanks, Norma. I would definitely take one!

    You too, Mel. And thanks for listening. It really is a calming thing to be able to unload details on this blog.

     
  • At 10:55 PM, Blogger Candy Rant said…

    Thank you, Anon. Prayer is sometimes simply everything.

     
  • At 10:56 PM, Blogger Candy Rant said…

    Henry, I don't know how you got here, but I'm stunned, and very touched.

     
  • At 3:43 PM, Blogger Dana said…

    This blog is no where near a hub of grief. You have given me laughter, tears, encouragement and hope in all you have been through. You are an inspiration (at least to me) and I love your complete honesty in this cruel.

    I am praying for you and your family.

     
  • At 7:36 AM, Blogger Dana said…

    ...in this cruel WORLD.

    (I just saw that the word got deleted...:)

     
  • At 10:37 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Still have the prayer light on. Another weekend of painting ahead of me. Helps to concentrate the prayers.

     
  • At 11:49 PM, Blogger Candy Rant said…

    Thank you so much, Ana. I have to go back to Phoenix Sunday morning and my sister will really need to be lifted up then. The dust will settle.

    Thanks, Dana. I'm going to have to write all this out when I get home. My one chance to process it is to do that.

     
  • At 7:16 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Candy, My computer crashed so I didn't know about this. I'm so very sorry, and yes, you sister is in my prayers. Love you, Anita

     
  • At 5:15 PM, Blogger E. said…

    Your sister is in my prayers, as are you. How awful. There's nothing to say, except thank God she has you and the rest of your family and many friends.

     
  • At 7:18 PM, Blogger JBelle said…

    heeeey, Candy. Thinking about you. So sad. Sorry, too.

     
  • At 8:38 PM, Blogger Carin said…

    Oh, I am so sorry Candy, and I will say a prayer for your sister. :((((

    Man :( I'm getting teary for you.

     
  • At 6:44 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Your plate is so full.

    Checked in to see if anything was okay... Understandably, it may feel nothing is.

    These are long days; you're not alone.

    you are loved, as deeply as always.

     
  • At 12:58 AM, Blogger Citlali said…

    yes. will be thinking about you. many hugs for you and all your family.

     
  • At 7:20 AM, Blogger Gail said…

    I love you, Candy, and I am still praying for you all all your family.

     

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