Food stuffs

 There is a seemingly ancient tradition in the bringing of food to the grieving. I had no interest in food but I had family who did, especially the grandsons. Two especially kind food gifts were from friends who apparently sensed that kind of appetite. Sarah's in-laws on Saturday am brought ALL the makings for deli meals: meat, cheese, condiments, drinks, snacks, cookies, bread, plates, cups, napkins, plastic spoons - you get the idea.  Someone could eat whenever they wished and everything they needed was in place. Two lifelong friends of Benj brought over all the makings for a bar-be-que meal:  boxes of  meats, bread, potato salad, baked beans, slaw. What a feast for the boys and it looked so good,  I enjoyed a few bites myself. Others brought vegetable trays and dips, cake, homemade cookies.
The greateat food gifts awaited us at the church. People brought a great reception meal to our Founder's Hall Wednesday. There were sandwiches, cheeses, fruit, salads - just a beautiful array and through love and kindness it was all tended and served to those who braved the non-spring day to share our memories. I had relayed to Mary Ann that a perfect reception for Ben would include M & M's and Oreo cookies. As a family we decided to bring the M & M's but she struggled with the cookies until soe kind soul brought Oreo truffles dipped in white chocolate. I could see Ben's grin for that one!
The grands chose up their readings. I told David the meaning behind the psalm selection he was reading. Kelsey wrote out a reflection he wanted to read at the service. I asked, "Are you sure you want to do this?" He was firm in his decision . Benj and Lainy also wanted to share thoughts and while they are both experienced speakers I felt a need to coach them. "This is not like anything else you have done. You can't just wing it because you will find yourself going down a path you can't finish. Plan what you want to say, find a single idea and share that and have it all thought through. (And in the true Episcopal tradition) keep it short."
I had finally sat down and ordered the flowers from Trapps. Bob knows what to do since he does all our church  flowers. I decided on a grouping of spring flowering branches and flowers (with a lot of negative space) for inside the nave, which would be moved to Founder's for the reception table, and a spray with flowering branches for the memorial garden.
I decided to lay out my clothes for the morning, take a hoarded sleeping pill and go to sleep. I slept in my bed for the first time, but with lights on - loneliness is harder in the dark

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