From the time i was born to when i was in my early twenties, id only ever attended one funeral. In the last ten years, my wife and i have attended 15, if i counted correctly. My family never really did family reunions, but i went to a few on my wifes side since we’ve been married. It seems like it takes a death to really bring the family together. Surprisingly and pleasantly, i can say that only one of these funerals had the familial in-fighting ive watched so many others talk about and decry over the years, and it was a coworker’s family.

After the funeral today, i enjoyed watching, seeing my introverted father in law and his brothers get together and talk, laugh near to tears, and goof off as Brothers do. I watched the kids, grandkids, and great grandkids all talk, and laugh, and share experiences and memories, story after story.

Ive had the opportunity to speak at four or five of the funerals as well, and thats always an experience ive been very grateful to have. As ive come to love the experience of funerals for the stories, its been a blessing to be able to share my stories and memories as well on those occasions.

I dont post all that often here lately, but with the funeral and maybe i was thinking about my initial interpretation of Q’s riddle while watching family come together...

Anyway, I felt it a good opportunity to thank everyone here, the friends ive made, the stories, the long-running inside jokes, and epic flameouts. Thank you all. And regardless what your family looks like - friends, neighbors, pets, marriage, blood, coworkers, or what have you - theres a “family” of sorts in us all. Phone a friend. Drop a line. Write a letter. Catch up and share those memories while making more. Live life.

Well said. My condolences as well.

Porter, you have my best. I’m sorry for your loss for sure. God grant you peace, brother.

My condolences on the recent deaths, and prayers for the family.

I fully understand the experiences of family funerals. My dad was very close to the members of my mom's family and when he died he wanted to be buried (eventually with her) in the graveyard with her folks. The family gathered at the funeral home in Mountain View, Arkansas and were being a little boisterous. The young (50-60) Assistant Funeral Director came over and tried to tone things down a little, saying we were disturbing visitors to other deceased, when the real Funeral Director (60-70) came over and stopped him. He said, "These folks haven't seen each other for quite a while and they're enjoying each others' company, and if that man in the coffin could, he'd jump out and join them!" (Our extended family had patronized that Funeral Home for maybe 40 years.)

Like you, I'd not attended many funerals until later in life, but I've now been to quite a few family ones. I used to be in the middle of the pack of 38 grandchildren (both sides), but now I'm the oldest on my dad's side and next to oldest on my mom's. My parents and baby sister are gone and all my aunts and uncles. It's lonely at the top.

Hang in there, and it's OK to enjoy the family when they gather, whatever the reason. It's a "healing" thing.

flashguy

My condolences to you. This week I will be attending my first double funeral. A friend's elderly parents crossed a highway and were hit in the side and killed.

My condolences Porter.

Please accept our condolences.