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.

We already have a candidate for worst dressed of 2010

Is that a bedazzled wetsuit?

Completely unrelated... compare and contrast. The pair after those two is a little more dramatic.

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

Yeah, that. And you don't have to only be sad the whole time. That's OK.

I don't like viewings. I don't want to be viewed. I get earwormed with Forest Lawn and get hysterical giggles, which really is not respectful. Or understood by others.

For my grandparents funerals, the saving grace that made it a good thing were the babies and toddlers who didn't get it and didn't like seeing people sad. So they acted up. And we all started laughing uncontrollably. At my grandfather's, the pastor said "Ah, it's good to have the ___s back in this house" when the whole church fell apart laughing.

JZ, love the hair and the look. I love your smile, too!

Good luck, Jilli! They should totally give you stuff.

I had delicious gnocchi with winter squash, sweet potatoes, and greens. Nom nom.