Family Reunion, of Sorts

This past weekend I had the unfortunate task of going to my grandmother's wake and funeral. But, that meant I got to see lots of family I hadn't seen in a while. Like my sister, the infamous Taylor Hicks stalker. And my other sister, who is the "do my gold metallic shoes match my handbag?" type. I also got to see my nephew, the self-proclaimed Beer Pong champion, who had to celebrate his 24th birthday the day of the wake. Others I hadn't seen since I was little also showed up--I met my mothers cousins who, apparently, I had already "met" when I was two.

As with all family gatherings, there was a bit of drama. But that's what makes it family--endless discussions over who should (and shouldn't) get to ride in the limo...tension over who will and won't attend the services...and my father (the loudest man on earth) telling my sister she was talking too loudly at the wake. All that good stuff.

We were loud and boisterous at the wake, laughing and sharing stories about my often-racy, always-trouble-making grandmother. Until the Mormons showed up. Although she was a bit "spicy," my grandmother somehow also managed to be Mormon. Unfortunately, all of our best stories about her were therefore inappropriate for the Mormon funeral service. The man from her church did a great job making the service personal, but it was painfully clear to most of us that he didn't know her that well when he announced that she never gossiped about anyone. I mean, c'mon, who would gossip in front of a Mormon Bishop?

Overall, it was a pretty typical family gathering, which would have pleased my grandmother. I do hope, however, that the next family reunion is under different circumstances.