Bad news last night.

[msfledermaus]

My mother called me last night to tell me that my great-grandfather had died. It was very sudden--he was outside shoveling (in his mid-nineties!) and had a heart attack. My grandmother's been in rough shape, and Mom and I have been calling her to let her know she's loved and that she has her family if she needs us. Mom and I are worried about her health, and the health of my great-grandmother, who's still pretty fragile. The funeral's this weekend. Mom might be coming up for it, so I'm cleaning and rearranging my apartment so she has somewhere to sleep. (Not an easy task in a studio!:)

I'm still in the quiet shock-phase you get when someone has died you didn't know very well, but still care about. And also worried about my mother and grandmother. And little things--what to wear to the funeral, travel arangements, how to quietly fake my way through a Christian service, etcetera.(I'm not myself, nor have I been raised as such.) I'm a little glad of the distance--it helps keep me stable so my mom and grandma have someone to lean on for support.


a somber Ms Fledermaus today.

Comments

[ex-ilona40.livejournal.com]

My thoughts are with you and your family today. I'm sorry for your loss.

{{{{Ms Eff}}}}

Thank you.

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

I found out when I was getting ready to go to your meeting..:( Maybe next time, huh?

Ms Fledermaus, with warm gratitude.

Re: Thank you.

[ex-ilona40.livejournal.com]

Yes. Please do join us next time. I look forward to meeting you.

Re: Thank you.

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

Sme here; you and the others that are local:)

Ms Eff, all alone in her little cubicle made of envelopes...I have a fortress of paper!!!

[cynnerth.livejournal.com]

Oh (((Ms Eff)) I'm so sorry :( Here I am asking for a fun Mardis Gras mask without first finding out how you are today.

It's okay:)

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

I needed the cheering up, and I enjoyed it. Wear the mask in good health and friendship.:)


((((Cyn)))))

MS Eff.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear that. He lived a long life.


(I can't imagine *you* would have trouble finding something to wear to a funeral!)

wait,

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

That didn't sound right. I meant that like, "but at least he lived a long life." I only had a great grandfather for a few years.

*freekee takes Ms Mausi's hand*

Re: wait,

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

((((((Kev))))))

I've got the skirts and hose covered...

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

but how many Femme Goths do you know own a sedate black blazer without funky trim, frills, buttons, spiders, etcetera? Black is no problem, but I'm kind of a trashy diva, I need me some Corporate-Goth stuff:) I need something subtle. I don't want to frighten the masses of Freemasons attending or any of my skittish relatives...

Ms Fledermaus, who probably shouldn't wear the boots or the Lenore-style long-point collar poet blouse:)

[banana.livejournal.com]

That's bad news. I'm sad for you.

Re:

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your thoughts and kindness.

((((Mr. Banana)))))

Love, the Ms.

[daruba.livejournal.com]

{{Ms Maus}}

my heart goes out to you....

((((Daruba)))))

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

Thanks, D...

(((((((((Shaky hug)))))))))


The Ms.

Re: ((((Daruba)))))

[daruba.livejournal.com]

{{{firm hugz}}}

[serendipity.livejournal.com]

I'm sad for you and your family. But yes, he did have a very long life, and didn't have to endure a protracted illness and all the suffering which that entails.

It's amazing to me that you still have a great-grandmother - wow! I had just one grandfather, who died when I was about 6. (My dad's dad died when my dad was a kid.) One of my grandmothers died when I was 14 and the other when I was about 30 or so. And one of my regrets about having The Kid in my late 30's is that her own grandparents are all that much older. :(

I hope your great-grandmother and the rest of your family gather strength from each other in the loss of your great-grandfather.

And I know what exactly what you mean about faking it through the Christian ceremony. I've actually given up trying to do that. I simply remain silent and respect the Christian tradition and the meaning it has for those actively participating in the service.

(((((Ms Mausi)))))

((((((Ser)))))

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

It's true about my Great-grandfather--he didn't suffer, and lived a long and happy life. And he was in his own way still trying to take care of his wife when he died. I'm more sad for my mother and my grandmother--they were much closer to him, and they're both grieving pretty hard. (We are a long-lived family; I also have another great-grandmother still alive. I hope I age half as well.)

And thanks for the words of wisdom for the funeral service--usually if I'm in a church it's a wedding, so when everyone's singing hymns I just hum or something, to be supportive. Last wedding I went to was High Catholic Mass, so I took cues from my ex-Catholic boyfriend for standing, sitting, etcetera...and kept my mouth shut:)

Ms Fledermaus, grateful for your friendship and also glad Great-Grandpa didn't suffer.

I Hate Loathe Despise & Abominate Loss!

[glitterypixie.livejournal.com]

{*{*{*AllMyLuv&SupportMySweetestGodMonster*}*}*}

Thanks, love.

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

(((((((((((((*****SQUEEEZE*******))))))))))))

The Ms, hoping she didn't choke you too much with the hug.

{{{{{{ms f}}}}}}}

[i.livejournal.com]

so sorry.

Re: {{{{{{ms f}}}}}}}

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, Dave...


(((((((((((Big hug))))))))))))


Ms Eff, grateful for the kindness...