Let's face it, funerals suck. It's not fun having to accept someone's death and the ceremony is also very slow/boring/depressing. I avoid funerals for the most part, but if it involves somebody I actually knew from my family, then I am there.
When I got news that my aunt's father had died, I knew I'd be going to a funeral soon. My mother's only brother got married to this woman who is now my aunt. She's a very kind and loving person and although I don't see their family that often, they are still some of the only close family that I have. I knew I wouldn't be missing this funeral because she and her family would need as much support through the process as possible.
My mom and dad both were unable to make it because they had to work. The funeral was on a Monday, so I was the only one in our household who could attend. I was accompanied by my papaw, which is my mom's dad. Other than us, it was all people from my aunt's side of the family.
My aunt's father was a very kind man and as family-oriented as they come. I thought it right that I pay my respects. Plus, it was going to be nice to get to see some family that I'm not often around anymore.
The funeral itself was the shortest funeral that I've been to in my entire life. He was buried at a Veteran's Memorial and therefore the service was short and sweet. Some Air Force people spoke, they unfolded and folded an American flag, shot a few rounds from some rifles, and then it was over. It lasted a total of 7 minutes.
I thought that was going to be it, but I decided to make the hour's drive to the place where they were having a celebration of life gathering. Basically, like a picnic and social get-together.
I ended up receiving the duty of picking up my aunt's mother with one of my cousins. We did this because my Lincoln sits low to the ground and their Bronco is very hard for her to get in and out of. I didn't mind one bit, she was on the way there after all.
Only a few minutes after she sat down in my car, we were at a stoplight to exit her apartment complex and witnessed this poor old lady get t-boned by another car. Some dude ran a red light and smashed into her front end going about 50-60mph. Thankfully the woman was okay and the guy didn't just drive off. We stopped to check on the lady and called 911 for her. I am glad she was not injured and that we were not involved in the crash.
Shortly after leaving the scene of the accident, we were at the outdoor gathering. I stayed for 2.5 hours and ate some food. I knew pretty much nobody there so I didn't socialize much at all outside of talking to my direct family when they weren't busy talking to all of the other random people that were there. I didn't stay until the end but was there long enough to feel like I had done my part.
I hate that we had to have this funeral, but death is inevitable for us all. The one positive thing about it all is that I got to spend some quality time with my relatives and none of us will ever forget that day that we spent together.
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