Cheryl picked me up at a few minutes before noon and we off to the "memorial luncheon" for Lora's son. The gathering place was nicely decorated and set with long tables and chairs. At each place was a brochure about Seth and his passing:
Seth was just shy of his thirty-third birthday.
There was a screen at the front that displayed changing pictures of Seth over the years. I can just imagine Lora picking them out--Seth as a two-year-old, Seth playing baseball, Seth with friends at the prom, Seth as a grown man, and so on. After a short, non-denominational prayer, several relatives and friends stood to express their memories of Seth. Attendees were then invited to enjoy the buffet lunch, which was simple and good--salad, sandwiches, a few other sides, cookies and cupcakes, with water and soda to drink.
I introduced myself to Lora's sister and brother-in-law, Teresa and Reuban, whom Suzanne had mentioned to me and we sat across from a couple named Joe and Collette. All of them volunteer for one of the many charities with which Suzanne works. Julie was there and came over to say hello; she introduced me to her friend, Lupe, the one with whom she often travels (Lora is, of course, their travel agent).
Sharon and Lewis came in late and sat down with us, but didn't take any of the buffet. We chatted with them for a bit, then said goodbye to Lora about 2:15. She and Todd will go back to their new home in Arizona on Tuesday, but will probably be back here in May, so I hope to see her then.
It was a melancholy affair, but honestly, it seemed to me more touching than a mass or other church service. I've been to so many of those (too many, in fact) and, depending on the occasion--who died, that is--have seldom been as moved as I was yesterday.
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Paula, my ex-daughter-in-law, is in Japan on a business trip. She's ethnically half Japanese herself and I had forgotten had lived in Japan until she was a teenager (her father was U.S. naval officer). Here she is with a colleague in some town square or other:
I was struck by how attractive she is at 56. I hope she finds someone to care for and who will care for her.
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