Sleep well, Mr. Jim.
Ugh.
Had the day off work today to go to Jim's funeral. Frankly, it could have been a half day, but take the opportunities where you can.
It was a very good, but painfully moving service. They played Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley (a song that made Jim cry) and the voiceover from Four Weddings and a Funeral of John Hannah's reading of Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden. I think his Scottish burr lends itself well to the poem and I think it would have been near torturous for anyone to stand and read.
Jim's son-in-law (his daughter's husband) read a poem written by Trent, Jim's son, because Trent couldn't do it himself. It was hard to hear and is, in fact, making me teary to think about it.
There were so many people there...There were rows and rows of people standing outside the chapel. I hope that many people will come to my funeral. Not a bad word was said about him...Except for the time when he got trashed and took off his clothes, waking up in the morning to find his undies in a tree. It was amazing to see the turn-out I have to say: Friends, family, former colleagues and co-workers and on and on the list goes...Just so, so many people.
I still can't believe it all, to be honest. He was diagnosed with the melanoma November last year and found out that it had already spread to his lungs and brain, had chemo before Christmas and got really sick on Boxing day. They ran more tests, decided not to do another course of chemo because it'd be fruitless and he died on the 17th just passed. He was only 62 and had retired in the last year and a bit...His wife hadn't even retired yet.
Four months from diagnosis to death.
Jim and his wife celebrated their 40th anniversary last year and it's sad to know that there won't be other anniversaries. He complained about her sometimes, but he really was hopelessly in love with her. I hope she knows that. I can't imagine what she must be going through...I really can't. Nor what his children, Trent and Nicole are going through. Even though they're both in their thirties, I don't think the death of a parent gets easier or is any less traumatic. I'm glad he got to meet his grandkids, though...Except at work when he'd talk about his grandson Lucas...It was non-stop, lol.
He was a brilliant person, a true gentleman and the type of man you'd want your son to grow up to be. He was a funny bastard, honest, kind and a great friend of mine. I believe, honestly, that my life is better for having known him.
P.S. For Christmas, I want to learn to be a pretty crier.
Had the day off work today to go to Jim's funeral. Frankly, it could have been a half day, but take the opportunities where you can.
It was a very good, but painfully moving service. They played Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley (a song that made Jim cry) and the voiceover from Four Weddings and a Funeral of John Hannah's reading of Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden. I think his Scottish burr lends itself well to the poem and I think it would have been near torturous for anyone to stand and read.
Jim's son-in-law (his daughter's husband) read a poem written by Trent, Jim's son, because Trent couldn't do it himself. It was hard to hear and is, in fact, making me teary to think about it.
There were so many people there...There were rows and rows of people standing outside the chapel. I hope that many people will come to my funeral. Not a bad word was said about him...Except for the time when he got trashed and took off his clothes, waking up in the morning to find his undies in a tree. It was amazing to see the turn-out I have to say: Friends, family, former colleagues and co-workers and on and on the list goes...Just so, so many people.
I still can't believe it all, to be honest. He was diagnosed with the melanoma November last year and found out that it had already spread to his lungs and brain, had chemo before Christmas and got really sick on Boxing day. They ran more tests, decided not to do another course of chemo because it'd be fruitless and he died on the 17th just passed. He was only 62 and had retired in the last year and a bit...His wife hadn't even retired yet.
Four months from diagnosis to death.
Jim and his wife celebrated their 40th anniversary last year and it's sad to know that there won't be other anniversaries. He complained about her sometimes, but he really was hopelessly in love with her. I hope she knows that. I can't imagine what she must be going through...I really can't. Nor what his children, Trent and Nicole are going through. Even though they're both in their thirties, I don't think the death of a parent gets easier or is any less traumatic. I'm glad he got to meet his grandkids, though...Except at work when he'd talk about his grandson Lucas...It was non-stop, lol.
He was a brilliant person, a true gentleman and the type of man you'd want your son to grow up to be. He was a funny bastard, honest, kind and a great friend of mine. I believe, honestly, that my life is better for having known him.
P.S. For Christmas, I want to learn to be a pretty crier.