Don't read if you are easily offended (more cremation stories)

15 years ago

My family has a wicked sense of humor and mom was just cremated.

My BIL called his grown children up told them grandma was there and did they wish to talk to her? You can imagine their reaction..

We call her urn (which is solid marble) the $350 flower pot. Darn - a ceramic urn would have been better - she used to paint ceramics.

My sister took her home (my BIL said she could gladly stay there). Last night she said mom told her the house is too cold (which mom would tell her). I said mom's sweaters are in the stairway of her house.

When we planned mom's party, I saw a pottery pig on the refrigerator and threatened to hide the urn and just put the pottery pig between the flowers. My family would have been the only one to see it - but how priceless the looks on their faces would be.

We get our sense of humor honestly. When mom worked in a school, the building has roaches - badly. The exterminator came and dead roaches were everywhere. Mom and my cousin made a roach cemetery (complete with tombstones) and put it in the faculty room. In her photos, we found one of a giant stuffed rabbit sitting on a toilet and reading a newspaper - another school prank.

I hesitated to share these, but we have laughed and cried while going through mom's stuff. Who keeps 35 year old dog collars?? I swear mom did so we would find them and gasp...

I can "see" her laughing right along with us.

When you are laughing - you're not crying and she really hated it when we cried. Bring on the laughter...

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Comments (13)

colleenoz
15 years ago
My family shares a similar sense of humour. When I collected my Mom's ashes, I exclaimed, "Mom! You've lost weight! Just like you always wanted!" And when I collected my step-dad's ashes all I could think was how much the parcel looked like a show bag (a bag full of promotional goodies different companies give out at fairs here).
Glad you can enjoy the good memories of your Mom. Condolences for your loss.
sleeperblues
15 years ago
This is not offensive at all, Kathy. It shows that your Mom's wonderful sense of humor has been passed on to her legacy. She would be proud that you are able to laugh, even through the hurt. Laughter is a wonderful thing, isn't it?
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folkvictorian
15 years ago
It sounds to me like you have a warm and funny and loving family surrounding you! Your mom would be happy to know you're laughing and not crying!
katlan
15 years ago
Your family sounds just like mine. Every single one of us got our father's very dry, cutting sense of humor. A lot of people don't get it at first. My sister-in-law says "you guys are one sick, twisted family". Ha, you married into it girlie! lol And she loves it. My mother-in-law was shocked by me I think, all those many years ago when we first met and were getting to know each other. Now if someone says something wild she says "you sound like Kath now".

Love the saved dog collars story. I'll take laughing over crying every single time.
dotmom
15 years ago
Kathy, I agree with the above posts. Be sure....your Mom is laughing right along with you all. Thanks for posting and giving us some giggles this morning.
janie_ga
15 years ago
Sounds totally normal to me! By the way, my mom still has Rinnie's collar and dog tags. Rinnie was her dog as a child and Mom is in her mid-60's. One time I asked her what we were supposed to do with such things when she died. She said that she didn't care but she was keeping them until then, lol.

When I got back to my Granny's house after my Granddaddy's funeral, I immediately changed into overalls- his daily wear when he could get away with it (complete with bare feet, lol) and went out to pick the okra he had planted in the front yard. When Granny arrived she was "slightly mortified" but I knew Granddaddy would have had a fit that "the boys (his sons)" had not picked the okra yet. I am not much on decorum, lol.
ronf_gw
15 years ago
Great stories, kathy. I grew up in the same kind of family.

Remember the fun times and let the healing begin.

Ron
joan_mn
15 years ago
How could anyone find offense? Your whole family sounds wonderful. And your mother must have been a jewel. Hugs to you.
jannie
15 years ago
Having lost my Mom in January, I had to laugh at this post. So glad somebody still has a sense of humor.
maire_cate
15 years ago
Humor is what helps us through the bad times. I thought your stories were great.
susie53_gw
15 years ago
I think this is wonderful. It's sad more people can't laugh a little more. Laughter is what makes the world go around. You are all blessed to have had such a wonderful Mom. I'm sure she is laughing with you.

At my FIL'S calling some of the guys that worked with my hubby came to his viewing. They told my hubby later at work they could see what a happy family we were because of the laughter. My dear FIL was one of the happiest men I have known.
linda_in_iowa
15 years ago
DS and I share the same sense of humor. Laughter is the best medicine.
mawheel
15 years ago
Great stories! Much better to laugh than to cry, if possible. Thanks for sharing.

Don't read if you are easily offended (more cremation stories)

Comments (13)

colleenoz

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