Friday 6th March 2015
I feel a bit like
a Bob Dylan song, or maybe Judy Collins.
Circles, cycles, seasons…weddings, funerals…
 |
| My father in his prime |
Yesterday was my
father’s funeral. No not funeral –
memorial service! You can’t have a
funeral without a body, and his body, he would have been most gratified to
hear, has been accepted by the university for the teaching program.
So instead of a
coffin we had a photo, his ancient Dutch clogs, and some beautiful flowers…
My brothers and I
managed to get through our allotted roles; we had light refreshments and
convivial chat, and then a bit of a party at Pete and Andrea’s house.
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| Dad's offering on a more auspicious day… (Pete, Marguerite, Chris) |
Dad would have
been gratified, I am sure, by the turnout.
Close to 200 people, all of them full of admiration, respect and love.
Many people went
out of their way. Our friend Diane flew
back from Melbourne several days early, at great inconvenience.
Kay, a very recent
widow herself, flew in just for the afternoon, from Melbourne.
I had many friends
there, and…many sisters! My own sisters,
Monique and Jacqui,
 |
| Monique and jacqui |
plus my lovely brother-in-law of many years, William, from Launceston (not my father’s daughters,
but part of the Harmsen Mafia by extension nonetheless.) My
wonderful sisters-in-law, Andrea and
Karen.
 |
| WINNERS! |
Pete’s kind and supportive sisters,
Lynne and Angela.
 |
| Angela and Lynne |
Dad would have
been delighted to have all of these women surrounding him, and us.
I won’t dwell on
the sadness…Dad would have been very cross indeed to think of any of us being
sad.
Late in the
afternoon…Pete came to find me, asking, a bit hesitantly, if I was OK to
drive. Well yes…three glasses of
sparkling wine after a lengthy day, sure I could drive. Where to?
Well…to the farm, between Hamilton and Ouse…about an hour and a half
away… The marquee had already fallen over, just a bit, and we had to be there
to keep an eye on it during a very stormy, windy night.
Pete’s son James
has been setting up the farm for his wedding tomorrow. It will be a glorious and auspicious
occasion…if the weather behaves with due decorum…
 |
| How is it looking, weather-wise??? |
James and Bron
have put in such a lot of thought, effort and work into this weekend; the least
we could do was to camp in a dear little caravan and be ready to rescue the
marquee…
We have been
working here all afternoon as well, setting up the tables and portaloos. Pete has been digging and lifting, heaving
and ho-ing, while my jobs have involved blue sashes for the chairs
Big paper pompoms
And flowers oh so pretty, and oh what fun! Tomorrow we will complete the flower
arrangements and we will be at the ready for all of the last-minute jobs yet to
be revealed…
Dad would have
been so amused, to hear all of these stories, of us rushing around the
countryside, getting changed from FuneralFinery to FarmShabbiness, celebrating
happy family events, trying to solve what seem to be unresolvable problems.
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