Blog 56 The Viewing and burial of my Nephew– Aftermath Menageries

( My sister, Mary and her husband, Bill)

By the time that Robert and I brought Bill’s parents and sister from the airport, We went straight to the funeral home. This was on Friday. The weather outside was getting worse with ice and sleet. Mary and Bill were greeting people in the room that Jacob’s body was being viewed. I stayed out of the room until Mary was in the room alone. I looked into the coffin and noticed two things. The first was that the right hand was placed with the hand being in a fist appearance and, second, Mary had placed a small teddy bear beside him.

Again, I choked because I gave him the bear for his first Christmas. Mary told me that the bear was his favorite item to hold. I began crying again. Mary wanted to know why. I told her how ashamed I was because when I bought the bear, I was trying to get ALL my Christmas shopping done on one day. By the time I got to Jacob’s name I was so tired that I looked at the bear and just threw it in my basket, not giving it any thought because he was only one month old. Now, that petty gesture was going to be buried with my nephew. I hurt all over while seeing this. I had to leave the room.

Robert and I waited in the hallway until everyone had left the Home, even Mary and Bill. The woman in charge said the time was over, but she allowed us to go in the room until she was ready to lock up. We went inside and I pointed at the hand that was closed. I reached in and place my finger into the grip and it felt like he was holding onto me. I looked at the bear and stared. No words were being spoken. We just stood in that position until the woman came in to tell us to leave. I do not know if I ever told Mary what I did.

On the way home, I was silent, but my mind was going crazy. I kept thinking, “Why would God let Mary finally have a baby and just take him back so soon?” About a year later, I asked Mary that question. Being the Christian woman she was/is, she said, “I always asked God to allow me to be another mother and He allowed that to happen. God never told her how long that would be. And besides, I now can be a witness to other women that lose a child.” Peace immediately came upon me. She also said that her only fear was that people would forget that she ever had a second child. I promised her that I would never forget and I proved that by giving her special gifts on his birthday and on the day he died. This went on for many, many years until she told me that I did not need to do it anymore because I had kept my word.

The body was left in viewing until Sunday and the funeral was on Monday. All three nights, I did the same thing going into his room alone holding his hand and quietly prayed.

(Now to the menageries)

By Sunday, my Maternal Grandfather and his wife made it. The only room available for them was at my house. My grandmother slipped on the ice on Sunday and twisted her ankle badly. My grandfather had cancer and he was losing his thoughts. He was a handful when his mind was not there. We played caretaker to my grandmother. But to make things worse, Robert’s dog, Ashley was ready yo have a set of puppies.

During the night, Ashley crawled under Robert’s bed and started delivering pups. This was where my grandparents were sleeping. so, they came to me and I woke Robert and we hurried to the room. She had already had one, but was having problems with the next. My grandfather was cussing and my grandmother kept asking us to get her to my room.

I could not move her until I was able to get the second puppy. It was partially breech and I had to help her. I got it out , she busted the embryo and cleaned the baby. She then let me take her box, place the puppies into it and take them to my room following me. I put her in the master closet. Since she trusted me, she allowed me to stay close because Robert still felt puppies.

Ashley had FIVE pups before she was done. She was getting weaker and weaker. the dogs came between an hour and two to deliver ONE. We stayed up all night. The last one, Ashley was so tired that I had to pull the pup out, Robert cut the cord and tied the ends.

The next morning, we had to get ready early because we were pallbearers. My grandparents had to come, as well. To finally finish this story, Grammy could not drive for three more days! I had to work, Robert had to keep up with the pups, as my grandparents were making high demands for us. The funniest part of this came on the last night when my grandmother decided that she was going to cook her best meal for us. She made the list and WE paid for it. Brought it home, and she stayed on the couch barking at us in the kitchen on how and when to do things for the meal. Until the day she died, she told everyone how she cooked for us on the last day!

(Blog 57 Having to get a roommate to help pay costs)