What can I say about this week? I feel a lot better and I guess things have settled down a bit. But to think that Linda�s Dad and brother were both joined with the earth on Friday is rather mindblowing.
Linda�s Dad�s body was so badly smashed that his was a closed casket but luckily, Andy�s wasn�t. This at least gave his Mom an opportunity to look at his face as she said her last goodbye. Linda�s Mom was so emotional that her sister from Akron had to be her rock and keep her steady. I was expecting her to cry hysterically as they lowered the caskets but to everyone�s surprise, she was calm.
Linda was the opposite. She along with her Uncle read the Eulogies. She focused on her brother, while her uncle talked about her Dad. Linda was calm and stoic as she read the Eulogy but as they lowered the caskets, she lost it! Keith and I had to keep her from falling. Yes, I said, Keith but I�ll get to that in a minute.
Back to the funeral. It was so sad and moving but gladly we could feel the love around us. The church was brimming with people and I�m sure Linda�s mother was pleased to see her husband was so loved by the community. A few co-workers and friends gave funny anecdotes about Brian (Linda�s Dad) and that helped to lighten the mood a little. Afterwards we all met at Linda�s house for refreshments. It was truly a wonderful day and a testament to the love Brian and Andy had shown us during their short lives on this earth. By the way, If I hear one more thing about September 11, I am going to shoot someone. People die everyday for extremely stupid reasons and they are not celebrated. Are Sept. 11 victims particulary special? Plus the constant chatting about this incident disallows loved ones to move on with their lives. Poor Linda burst into tears everytime she turned on the T.V and they talked about the deceased. These media outlets are heartless and so manipulative. Leave these people alone for chrissakes!
I�m sure you want to know more about Keith�s presence at the funeral. Well, Keith and I were on the phone when I heard the news and seeing how hysterical I was at the time, he decided to be a good friend and be with me at this terrible time. Although �being with me� would be a little misleading because I only saw him on Friday because he said he "didn�t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable being a stranger and all." I could tell that Linda appreciated his presence �and so did I. What can I say? He�s a thoughtful guy. He met my parents and after giving me knowing looks my mother thinks he�s �nice� and my father wonders �how (I) made new friends in New York when I was supposed to be in training.� Daddy whatever.
I feel selfish and unfeeling talking about non-Linda related things so Diary, you�re going to have to wait till next week. What I will say is this, poor Linda is moving back home because she says her mother isn�t strong enough to leave town or be by herself. May God be with that family. Yes, I did say God. After seeing the power of love and goodness this week, I�ve decided that it�s only a good God that would create that. I only wish he/she spent as much time preventing good people from unnecessary suffering.
Femi, 4:10pm, Sunday, September 8, 2002
