164 Aunt Norma Goodbye 2

once everyone was inside Audis jr looked at his sister Eva he pulls her into his arms and lets her cry. He knows she is this way because they have left nothing for her to do. Not out of hatefulness or wanting her not to be apart but because she lives so far away. It would have been impossible for her to be here in time to take care of everything and still have mom buried by Jewish traditions. He knows that she is just upset because it was not her to do it. The rest of us could care less but not Eva . She was there when our mother passed and was to young to do anything for her. Norma was their mom in every way she never showed a difference between their younger siblings and them. Aisling comes out and puts her arms around her cousin.

"You know if there would have been anyway I would have waited for you. The funeral director said for us to have everything done in the Jewish time frame it had to be completed quickly. I'm sorry if you feel that I did to much . I truly only washed her body and oiled it. She had everything laid out on the bed waiting as if she knew that it was going to happen. " Aisling hands her cousin a letter that was with the clothes. 

"My Darling Eva 

I know your going to be angry with me for not leaving anything for you to do. For that I'm sorry. I just did not want to disrupt your lives more than necessary. I know my time is coming any day and I'm worried if I call you to soon you will just have to come back . So I'm waiting till I know it's my time to call you. I'm so sorry that I am leaving you but I have had the most precious life . Loving your father and you kids was my greatest pride and pleasure. I already told them that no one has to observe shiva it's too depressing and too restrictive. I know you all cannot stay for a week to observe it so there is no need. I have everything laid out and depending on the time I pass you may make it in time to help prepare me and you may not. Please do not take it out on the others they had no control over things. You know that I love you to the moon and back and want only your happiness. The only thing I need for you to do is check on your dad and remember me fondly. Your my big girl who always takes charge. This time I want you to just remember me and not have to worry about anything. I told them to plan a big party to send me off make sure you dance with your dad when they play our song. In the closet is a trunk of treasures they are labeled with each of your names. They are each special to each of you. I love you darling and thank you for allowing me to be your mom. 

mama Norma" 

Audis hesitates walking into the funeral home. He looks at his children and reminds them

"your mother was Jewish where as I am not . Some things we observed for her and some for me. Your mother requested a mixed funeral she wanted lots of flowering plants. So not a word about it's not appropriate for a Jewish funeral. Everything else will be of the Jewish traditions except that John will be doing the service as requested and The girls to sing. We have never been just a one faith home so remember this is your mothers wish. " his voice is cracking with emotion. The children nod in agreement with their father not saying a word. They walk in as a family and are awe struck at the sheer abundance of potted plants . The cousins must have emptied the flower shop for their mom. They were all of Norma's favorites. Aisling and the others placed pictures of Norma through out the room in various stages of her life. Audis wanted to cry of happiness they made the funeral home to look like a garden and her closed casket was in the center. The children were beyond touched at the detail the cousins placed on every inch of the room. They went to find their seats as they only had a short time till sunset. John gets up and begins. 

"I met Norma when my sister started dating her brother. She was much older than him so she cared for him more like a son. For the last thirty plus years we have been family. I don't recall very many times that we ever had a cross word. She and Audis became a members of our family very quickly. There was no division between our family or theirs we became just family. I am here today to send off one of my best friends. Someone who has cajoled and laughed with me nearly my entire adult life. When I needed a woman's viewpoint while dealing with family matters I would call on her. She was always there for every single person in this room . Now she did not believe on skirting the truth to spare feelings but she was never cruel or heartless with her words. She loved her husband and children with her whole bring. She always made a point in teaching us all about the old traditions to help keep her ancestors alive in our memories. She always made a special place for Audis 's first wife in her home so that the children would know how special she was. She was always the childrens biggest supporter and cheerleader. She taught them when they did wrong and praised them when they did right. She could whip up a party in less than an hour and have it be perfect. She never judged anyone she said that was Gods job. She is going to be missed . She is loved by everyone here even those who only just have met her. Norma was our families secret weapon and treasure. She could always get her way without raising her voice. She was our treasure because she cherished all of us and only ever praised our good points. Very seldom did she ever say anything negative about anyone. Every one of us were either her child her girl or her boys. There was only one smart ass and only one prissy pants. You know who you are she loved each of us for who she believed we were and also who we could be. She loved us unconditionally. Now with that in mind I'm going to ask Remi Aisling and Eva to come up and sing the song  she picked out. " John walks over to the side as the three girls come up to sing. Eva has something to say first. 

"You know I was angry earlier today because there was nothing for me to do for my mom. So I guess I deserve the title prissy pants since I was only thinking of me. The song she liked is about Gods care for us and how nothing matters but his love and care. That was my mom in everything she did. " 

they begin to sing when they finish singing every eye in the place is filled with tears. Aisling looks over at her uncle there she sees the spirits of both her aunts one on each side of him. Aunt Norma knowing she can see her blows her a kiss and smiles at her in gratitude. 

when they finish John motions for the pallbearers to come up there is seven of them and they will pause seven times before she is laid to rest. The procession leaves the funeral home following the hearse to the graveyard beside the church. They place the casket and recite the Lord's Prayer as they lower it. Each family member picks up a shovel of dirt and throws it onto the casket saying their goodbyes. By the time they are finished the casket is all but covered. They head back to Aisling's for dinner and to share memories of Norma . Looking back Audis whispers to his loving wife's grave sleep well my love I will be with you soon. Eva takes her fathers hand and they walk towards the car. She looks at how old her dad looks and kisses his cheek. 

"papa thank you for giving me such an amazing mom. I am going to miss her so much. " he pats her hand and smiles at his child . She is a handful at times but lord Norma doted on her and spoiled her far to much. Lord he misses his wife already.