She's got something extra

We just returned from my grandmother's funeral. I cried an ugly cry and I am certain I embarrassed my family by breaking the "show no emotion" rule, but nonetheless I feel that we said our farewells, each in our own way.

On the way to the cemetery, I remembered a time when I was in middle school and shared with my grandmother that a girl in my class had hurt my feelings. (We all know that middle school girls are more dangerous than a highly trained ninja.) She listened intently and said, "It's not as if she has anything extra." Translation: She's no better than you are.

I thought about that and in my mind as the pastor gave the eulogy on this cold and windy day, I thought that instead of "beloved mother", it should have read, "She had something extra."

I want to thank each of you for your wonderful words of support. Whatever would we do without our "chosen family" of friends.

The photo above is of a glass oil lamp, blown by a local artist. Yesterday before visitation began I didn't want to wait at the hotel, so I ventured downtown in the little community where the services were held. I stopped in a yarn shop and then a little corner store. I was fascinated by the beautiful orbs floating in the window as the sun show through.