I am tempted to commit emoticon. I will be strong. But I am smiling.

The smile is contagious with understanding.

I'm glad that the funeral went as well as it could. May you and yours be able to get some peaceful rest tonight.

I love your bees, -t, and think about them and you every.single.time I see a bee in my backyard. I even tell them "hey there's a beautiful place up the highway you should see!"

I guess I've always thought of funerals as something sacred -- or maybe I mean solemn -- that "everyday" events shouldn't impinge upon. But I've never really examined that belief, just kind of gone along with it. As I think about it, there's no reason not to take pictures at a funeral; it's just not commonplace. (As far as I know.)

A lot of people asked me at the time if we we'd videotaped my mom's funeral. And for a moment I felt like I'd lost an opportunity. But, for me, it felt right that the whole thing was sort of ephemeral and hazy.

But if a record is what will make it feel right for him, more power to him.

I love the bees. And even the fawn. My story is about a rock.

Hee, javachik!

As I recall, that was a pretty good rock story.

The day after my father's funeral, my sisters and mother and I went to a big shopping mall that was always a planned day trip to go to. It was a surprisingly congenial trip (for us) and such a blessing to get out of the funeral focus we'd been in for the last week.

Blessings on you and yours, Teppy.

Spidra, I'm sorry you are feeling so stuck. I've also emailed you a bit of info.

Thanks very much, Windsparrow.

I'm glad you got through the funeral okay, Steph. It was very nice of you to take pictures for him.

I had the same question. I had a camera - there were loads of family about - but it felt odd to take pictures of a funeral so I didn't. I took some pictures when we had a bit of a wake back at my grandma's, though.

Is there an option to email an rsvp, Vortex? We have that option and are thinking about not attaching stamps but including them so people could use the stamp to RSVP or for something else if they are emailing their response.

Five years ago, I wouldn't have thought anything of it, but now, it's a pain in the ass to buy a stamp. It's not the .42, it's the EFFORT.

I've never seen it done, and there's something about it that seems tacky, like a funeral is too sacred to whip out the camera.

Me either, until my dad's cousin took pictures at my dad's funeral. I mean, it looked really cool with the cason (carriage that carries the casket) and the horses and the beauty of Arlington; but it was still a surprise.

Five years ago, I wouldn't have thought anything of it, but now, it's a pain in the ass to buy a stamp. It's not the .42, it's the EFFORT.

It's possible that they left it off accidentally when they were assembling invitations and would be mortified if they knew. I know I was convinced I'd done so on at least a few invites.

Teppy, it sounds like it went as well as it could have, but funerals are so damned hard. Non-invasive hugs to you and the Boy and his family.

I, too, love t's bees. And Buffistas in general.

ION, something is scurrying around in my walls. Mia has been prairie dogging and staring at the noises, so I know it's not just me. I'm not squicked easily, but then I remember someone telling me about giant rats running around in SoCal on roofs and such and I get FREAKED THE FUCK OUT. The noises are not small. I should add that. Nsm much scurrying as thumping about. t shudder