“How we treat the dead says an awful lot about how we live. For the strong and able to serve the helpless dead, to honor frail remains, reaches deep inside us to something basic to humanity.” -Paul Gregory Alms

I realize that both a wake and a funeral can be awkward, inconvenient, and uncomfortable. Most of the time people want to do something to help or say the right thing. Yet, no matter if I have the right words or not, I realize that these occasions are the most important for the living. It is the last chance for most of us to honor, respect, and celebrate the life of those that have passed on.

For those of you who wish to help by sharing a kind word, spreading the word, or donating to help offset the funeral costs go here:
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6591052/
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Shortly I will be leaving to attend the wake of  haloronin's departed mother. She was the coolest furry mother that I have ever met. She had a good sensible head on her shoulders. Without her I would most likely be stuck in some dead end job instead of being a small business owner making and showcasing the art that I love to the general public. She will be missed.

I will be attending the funeral tomorrow with  kitta1652. has been asked to be a pawbearer and is taking haloronin's mothers passing fairly hard since he was like an adoptive son to the family. I am just doing the best I can to be there for and in their time of mourning. Those who wish to reach out to me to talk or be updated about events can contact me via note or Skype tonight.

In a personal note, the last time that I was at a wake or funeral for my own family was when my grandmother died on my father's side about a decade ago. It was not too long ago that I was at a funeral for the passing of 's great grandmother although I was not close to her. A handful of my own family members have passed on in my lifetime, but I have been out of state and in school at the time so I was unable to attend their funerals. Most of them I was not very close to aside from my grandparents on my mother's side. I find that I am reminded how much I miss my grandparents now.

*wipes away a few tears*