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lauradi7dwIn the Jewish tradition, at least in the US, there is a graveside memorial service at the one-year anniversary of someone's death, called an unveiling (for many it's the first time of seeing the grave marker). A couple of prayers, remembrances. Arthur's father died in July 2024 and his mother followed in November. Instead of two separate dates, the decision was made to combine the observance. Arthur's mother's birthday and that of two of the (now ten!) great-grandchildren bracketed last weekend, so it was decided that Sunday would be the day. On Saturday there was a combined birthday party for the two near-birthday teens, and a whole day of family hanging around. On Sunday we all carpooled to the Orlando area, where the cemetery is. They bought the plots, next to other loved ones, years ago, before they moved. There were many people making remarks. Several people said they were going to be brief, and then they weren't, but I think mine was the shortest. It was based on this experience in March 2024, of visiting on my own, and how grateful I was that his parents were clearly happy to see me, just for myself, not as a connection to anyone else
https://lauradi7dw.dreamwidth.org/2024/03/21/
Then something like 25 of us went to a restaurant that the parents had liked (wouldn't have been the choice of most of us) for lunch. I had taken containers, to decant the food on my plate so I could eat outdoors later. The Florida & SC relatives hit the road for home. The rest of us went to Pirate Cove mini-golf, a place we had gone multiple times when the parents lived in Orlando. Those of us flying went to the airport to deal with weather-caused delays. I got home at about 2 AM. It was worth the nuisance. I don't feel that I ever need to give Florida my tourism dollars again, aside for the aunt's 100th birthday party planned for May. I've already bought a ticket for that.
As mentioned in the flashback above and maybe other times, Arthur's family policy is that people who have been family stay family, and newcomers get added on. Arthur's partner wants to be my friend, I think. We are not a match personality-wise, but that's true of me and some of the other family members, so I am willing to try to be distant family with her, anyway. I talked to her a bit more than to Arthur's brother-in-law, to whom I think I said "hi." I went for two years without even saying that much during the first Trump administration, when he seemed to agree with the policy of separating families at the border.
https://lauradi7dw.dreamwidth.org/2024/03/21/
Then something like 25 of us went to a restaurant that the parents had liked (wouldn't have been the choice of most of us) for lunch. I had taken containers, to decant the food on my plate so I could eat outdoors later. The Florida & SC relatives hit the road for home. The rest of us went to Pirate Cove mini-golf, a place we had gone multiple times when the parents lived in Orlando. Those of us flying went to the airport to deal with weather-caused delays. I got home at about 2 AM. It was worth the nuisance. I don't feel that I ever need to give Florida my tourism dollars again, aside for the aunt's 100th birthday party planned for May. I've already bought a ticket for that.
As mentioned in the flashback above and maybe other times, Arthur's family policy is that people who have been family stay family, and newcomers get added on. Arthur's partner wants to be my friend, I think. We are not a match personality-wise, but that's true of me and some of the other family members, so I am willing to try to be distant family with her, anyway. I talked to her a bit more than to Arthur's brother-in-law, to whom I think I said "hi." I went for two years without even saying that much during the first Trump administration, when he seemed to agree with the policy of separating families at the border.
