Maybe you should follow up with a copy of the book?

Oh, I blogged for their webzine over the summer, so they're very aware of who I am. (And wow, does that feel weird to say/type!)

I looked at the J.Lo photo, and all I can think is that she forgot to put the rest of her outfit on? And no one wanted to upset her by reminding her?

And no one wanted to upset her by reminding her?

"Pumpkin, you forgot to put your clothes on when you got dressed."

And she was freezing, too! It just looked inappropriate, and too derivative of Cher.

Whoah. Viewing. Intense. I, like, don't want to be viewed. And now I know my my mother doesn't want to be viewed either.

It's strange being back in New Orleans. I feel weird, but we will be taking some advantage of the locale tonight by finding food downtown. I need to decompress after the viewing. Watching D's mother deal, watching her sister, watching her son refuse to deal...

Viewings tend to the barbaric, for me. But I have open-casket funeral issues anyway. Too damned many as a kid.

Oof, ita. We had viewings for a couple of my grandparents. Wasn't too traumatic, but also reinforced not my thing. Watching reactions at funerals is always the part that kills me. I can stay all about my reaction until the minute I look at someone, then I start taking them on and it's always rough.

Hope you find good food and have good conversations.

I hope you are able to adequately decompress, ita. Viewings have never had the advertised closure effect on me either.

I've found the viewings to be - helpful isn't exactly the word. Grounding maybe, or something. I get they're not for everyone. But for me it's been a big part of processing and grieving.

ita, I hope you're able to have a calm and soothing evening, and wish the best for you and your family.

Mmm yeah viewings are tough. But you`re there with family, you`re together. That`s the important bit about funerals.