Accepting Death... the Tipping Point?

Mom and I went to our neighbor's wake yesterday (Mrs. K). Mom planned her entire day around this activity. Two days previously, she had asked me, "So what time do you want to go to Mrs. K's wake?" Mom likes to attend early during the visiting hours because the family "expects her to be there early". I find that hard to believe, but go along with it anyway. What's the harm?

So, we ended up attending about 4:15pm. Yes, right in time to experience a Polish priest conducting a prayer service for her. And for the Polish Highlander group (or whatever that blue hat society is called) to attend and sing in Polish. Definitely interesting and very nice, but makes our visit much longer since they are in the front of the room and we can't just go up to the family to express our sympathies as you normally would.

Mom was in her glory talking to the family and reminiscing. There were also several of her friends in attendance, so she got to sit and visit with them as well. We were there for TWO HOURS, but who's counting? LOL

Mrs. K's funeral was today at 10am. As far as funerals go, it was a really moving service with a good homily and lots of singing in Polish. Those songs really make me emotional! I kept thinking about Mrs. K and how she loved the Polish hymns. She was a good neighbor and we'll miss her.

Luckily, it was a beautiful, but humid, day in Chicago today... at least until all this was over. Once we were home, a HUGE thunderstorm moved in to give us some relief. But during the funeral activities, Mrs. K had sunny skies.

Each family handles the burial differently. Mrs. K's family chose a graveside service and everyone remained while the casket was lowered into the ground (actually into that cement box thingy) and the cover was put in place. Kind of interesting. I hadn't attended one of those for a long time. It was VERY traditional, but really nice.

There was a luncheon served after the service and it was truly a wonderful celebration of Mrs. K's life. Her family was warm and appreciative to all who attended. At each table, the talk was about our memories of Mrs. K - but also some catching up among friends. I saw a friend that I had not seen in 30 years at this luncheon! Mom loves these luncheons. She not only gets to eat a good meal, she gets to socialize. I think that's why Seniors enjoy wakes and funerals so much - they get to see many people that they hadn't seen in a while and they get to socialize with each other.

My perspective on life broadens every day that I am with Mom. I've been thinking about mortality lately. And how some people are "ready" for death. The family of Mrs. K is at peace with her death because they say she was ready. When does that happen? Is there a tipping point? Does this occur when over half of the people you know and love have passed? When you have fulfilled your purpose? When you reach a certain age? What makes you ready?

Maybe attending all the wakes and funeral makes you more ready and this is why Seniors attend so many? I wonder. Questions to ponder...