Celebrating a short life
@GardenGerty (167507)
United States
January 13, 2026 6:19pm CST
I did go to the viewing at the funeral home today. For those not from the US, that is often a custom. You visit the family and see memories of the person who has died. Often they are in their casket to be seen.
I was not going to the funeral tomorrow, but I have changed my mind and will go. I feel like I will be representing the school as well as myself.
I will not go to the luncheon, though.
I imagine I will know quite a few people there beyond the family. It is good to celebrate what this child meant to us.
And we know he is celebrating the heavenly freedom from his disabilities.
15 people like this
6 responses
@GardenGerty (167507)
• United States
16 Jan
We know we did the best we could with what we understood. Mom said she is grieving, but also is celebrating.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (370400)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Jan
@GardenGerty It's like when people have some horrible terminal illness. I think sometimes our grief is really about us because we'll miss them rather than being really upset about their passing.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (167507)
• United States
17 Jan
@JudyEv Yes, there is a hole in our life when they leave even if they are better off.
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@GardenGerty (167507)
• United States
16 Jan
A severely handicapped child I worked with for eight years passed away at home at the very end of Christmas break.
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@GardenGerty (167507)
• United States
16 Jan
This is the image we all have of him getting to be a regular boy at last.
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@GardenGerty (167507)
• United States
16 Jan
Of the two, I preferred the viewing and the visitation. It was a time to visit with the family that was there.
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@velvet53 (23648)
• Palisade, Colorado
16 Jan
@GardenGerty That is the way I like it. I feel the family is the most important.
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@GardenGerty (167507)
• United States
16 Jan
We all believe that to be true, and a wonder.
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@sallypup (67796)
• Centralia, Washington
14 Jan
I think you are doing an honorable thing, going to the ceremonies. You need to say goodbye, too. Years ago I cared for a lady who had some profound issues. She was a kind soul. She and her daughter came to be friends more than just me being a caregiver. When the dear lady passed I wrote her a poem. Her daughter said she would read it at her service. Caregiving is a sacred honor.
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@GardenGerty (167507)
• United States
16 Jan
I felt good about both, and the message was very straightforward. It seems that the doctors had said this little guy would never live long enough to be born and he fooled all the experts. The priest, in his message, even thanked Mom and Dad for allowing him to be born.
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