My mom did fine at Uncle Frank's memorial until she read the note I'd sent Aunt Sue (she was tasked with reading some of the stories everyone had sent in about Frank.) Sue had a few hard moments, but purposely included funny/exasperating stuff at the points she knew she'd lose it. Frank's brother Wayne really choked up, but managed. We're typically stoic midwestern stock.

It's not cheesy, it's love!

I thought I was fine at my grandfather's wake until I apparently started keening like a banshee. Who knew my jerk of a dad could find the most perfect passage from the bible about fishermen. (Yet my other grandfather I was skipping out of that funeral home, gleeful to be free. And then this weekend at their house with my dad, I actually had to remind myself that she wasn't actually dead yet, for all that I give a fig about my grandmother on my dad's side. I feel bad that his parent's were such nothings).

OK, undignified. We're Yankees!

I keened like a banshee over my cat, so at least you are mourning human beings

I'm pretty sure my vets & staff are the only folk outside my family who have seen me when a complete blubbering mess. And I usually have held it together better for family!

I cried like a damn fool when we put the dalmatian to sleep, and (although I feel like a jerk for saying this) she wasn't even my favorite of the dogs. I can't even contemplate Kato not being around.

But that's okay, because we've discussed it, and he's going to stick around for 50 years. So we're good.

It makes me smile whenever you talk about the pets, Steph, because I remember before you moved in you were worried about allergies. I can't imagine you without the animals now.

But that's okay, because we've discussed it, and he's going to stick around for 50 years. So we're good.

I had the EXACT same discussion with Chile Pepper!

What Amy said.

I'm in denial that the Loki-kitten is 5 now. FIVE. Ok, so he's huge, but he's still a kitten, right?