February 21, 2010
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In My Life, I Have Loved Them All
Mom’s memorial was truly amazing.
From my dad’s fam, Uncle Pauly, my mom’s best friend Sue’s daughter Michelle with her SO (Amy) and daughter, my mom’s bro Dean and his wife and son and famdamily
We had a stellar turn out and it was awesome to see friends and family that I have not seen in quite sometime. Far too long for so many. It is entirely too true and sad that we only see each other at funerals.
My dear friend Kim and my new best friend HelainaMy friends were present and so supportive. Many did not know mom at all but were there for me. Thank you.
My cousin Sandy read the eulogy that I had written. What a thing to have to do. She did a wonderful job. I am grateful, this is something I could not do. (Although I did hold her hand and pat her back during the eulogy).
That is my daughter’s darling friend Brianna, my beautiful daughter and her gorgeous Juniper filled tummy along with my cousin Dawn’s son Brandon (the little gentleman)My daughter sand a song that my aunt Liz wrote that my mom and I both love. “Only the Rocks Live Forever”. She did a beautiful job. I have to tell you, she is quite pregnant and it was awesome to see her balance that guitar over her belly to play. Thank you Jocelyn.
We did a photo collage of mom and played a song that she wrote and that my aunt Liz sang. It even made it on the Billboard’s song hits charts back in the seventies called “Love is Ending”. It was wonderful to hear everyone’s reactions to the song and photos. Mom has had a happy, traveled and party filled life with many friends and always family present. I am certain that no one felt left out.
Sandy’s guy John with Lynn (good guys wear BLACK!)My cousin Lynn sang “Amazing Grace”. Holy Cow, she even had sing along at one point. Very impacting and not a dry eye in the house after that…
Brianna and my son, MichaelWe had an open mic, my brother was first and very heartfelt with his words of his life with mom. More folks got up including my son. Everyone did a fine job in celebrating mom’s life.
Pastor Nick brought it home with a Cowboy Poem and a little gospel. Then my friends, Bogden and Quentin, sang the Beatles song, “In My Life”.
My beautiful cousin Connie with her eldest son MatthewAfter this, my cousin Sandy was kind enough to let us use her place for a get together in honor of mom. Family and friends took the time to come together, reunite and eat and drink in her honor. My cousin Connie also helped with this big chore of feeding and beveraging this crew.
A group FAMILY photoIt really was a fine outcome to a sad occasion.
This is a kick ass photo of all us dominating women from the fam…beauties all, I am blessedAnd now, I finally get to get down to the business of missing my mom.
So…right after all this stuff gets done I finally have to finish up this paid late speeding ticket drivers/license nonsense that has been haunting me by fulfilling the final step to all of that: the Sheriff’s work program for five days.
Joc and I (wearing my funeral appropriate Bea Arthur of Golden Girls Jacket)I have two days full filled and have two more days straight to complete. I will finish up next Monday as I am taking my daughter to SF to see a play and have a girl night away with just her and I!
NO ONE there looks like this…This work program is just what you might expect. Early hours at a van and tool filled lot filled with cops and felons. They keep us girls together and I had the fortune to hang with several of the same girls the past two days.
This is actually what the girls do for nine hours, the guys get let off early to play b’ball…:>(It is hard work. Shoveling, digging, raking, mowing, weed eating, weeding, strenuous and monotonous. But, despite how they try to scare the hell out of you about it, so far, everyone is pretty nice. Nine hour days. Non stop labor intensive busy work.
Happy Chain ganger tips:
Important lessons learned: Carry your own water, bring two lunches, WORK GLOVES and those knee cushion things you use for gardening, HANDY WIPES!I am so beat. So beat. And the people are a whole ‘nother blog. I promise I will share that. You will crack up. There really are crack head felons in Yolo County.
Anyway, xanga buds, that wraps up that. I am exhausted. I am going to post the photos you have already seen and hit the hay so I can get up early tomorrow and clean a highway somewhere.
Good times…
Comments (26)
Beautiful memorial, feel like I was there. Sorry about the work chain gang tho. Take care you.
OH cassi.. First.. great photos. I am so glad you had such a loving turn out for the memorial. Awesome.
Secondly.. what the hell?? Why are you doing this detail?
I’m so very glad your mom’s memorial went well … a tribute to her, and a tribute to your managing and planning.
I’m thinking of you while you do the work program. sounds like not fun.
take care, cassi.
j.
@Celeste - suspended license stuff is frowned upon in yolo county. Speeding ticket got lost, got pulled over while driving with suspended license. Everything is paid, license is back have to full fill this. Will not bitch. Wait til I tell you the people stories. Fucking hilarious…I promise. Just gotta getter-done.
@speraquodvereor - thank you for the recom.
@queenie - : )
what a marvelous send off! you did an awesome job Cassi! yes, the women in your fam are beautiful and Joc looks so good full of Juniper! OUCH about the chain gang business though!
♥♥
@mamahen00 - if only we had one Paul Newman in the bunch it would be worth it. Ah well, three more days to go, you never can tell…
I am so glad I got to attend the memorial, and even happier I missed the chain gang! But you have a way of making it sound fun. And I can now say, I have sung a song with Lynn Anderson.
So you are working Tuesday? I am coming over Monday night with TWO lunches for you. Including dessert!
so glad everything went well
and now you have chain gang stories to tell your grandkids
oh… and I love your hair that color
What a wonderful blog… full of friends, family and baby belly. Your daughter looks stunning… pregnancy agrees with her. I always think it’s a shame that such gatherings are usually for sad occasions. People should get together like that for happy occasions too.
The chain gang sounds not too terrible… and think how fit you will be at the end of it!
I love your hair
It does seem family only gets together for funerals and weddings. Your mom’s eulogy and memorial sounded warm and lovely. Glad everyone has smiles at the end of it. I know it’s tough.
Chain gang?? You make it sound like fun but…. I can’t wait to see what you’re going to write.
what a beautiful family. it’s true what @MarkLupton - says why is it that so many of our families only get together during times like funerals or weddings? sadly, there aren’t many weddings in my family so it’s just the funerals. there’s always so much going on in this neck of the woods! 2 lunches? who knew?! have a great week!
Nothing like starting the morning off with a good cry. I wept at your description of the celebration of you mom’s life and laughed when you switched gears to the chain gang. I can’t wait to hear more of that.
I’d best dry my eyes cuz Mike is waking up and you know how guys are when they find you weeping at the computer. Yup, they want to have sex with you to cheer you up
Your work experience sounds like what I do in my yard in the spring. You big baby! hahahaha!
That was an awesome celebration of our mom’s life. It was noted that your friends all rallied ’round.
Joc and you.. well that picture of the two beauties is priceless.
Yes, Cousin Lynn.. You have no idea how many of her songs have been a part of my life for a very long time… ( we cried and laughed together) . I am a serious fan of hers. Of course, the world can say that, too.
The gathering for your mom is amazing.
Cassie, we love you!
Great post! Larry and I regret that we did`nt go to Sandy`s afterwards, we went to lunch and came home and napped, thats what old folks do! I`m wondering how its going with your brother, no more drama I hope! I noticed at the memorial he was`nt sitting with you but he`s standing next to you in one of the family pictures. At Cal Trans one of the jobs that Larry did occasionally was oversee the “gang bangers” uh, I mean “chain gangers” That would have been neat if he was doing that while your there. At least your not doing it in the sweltering heat of summer!
I’m glad the memorial for your mom was so special with so many people to share in it. I suppose it’s true of most families that we don’t see enough of each other, until there’s a marryin’ or a buryin’… I know such is true with mine. How cool to have gotten photos of everyone while they were together, though.
Have fun on the chain gang, lol. Now I’m gonna have that damn song stuck in my head…
I’m thankful you are through the memorial service. I pray for a quick and easier work day for you next time. You are an amazing woman, Ms. Cassie.
ROFL! I love it Cassi. Ok.. yeah, I imagine suspended licenses are not really looked upon with hilarity. LOL.. Although it makes one helluva story. We must get together soon.
So sorry to hear your mom passed. I am so sorry. It sounded like your mom was an amazing woman with an amazing spirit. I know you miss her.
What an incredible tribute to her life. Thank-you for sharing.
what a wonderful tribute!
My sister was impressed by all the positive energy that your family radiates. This looks like a good family event at a very sad time.
You are so Pat Benatar singing ‘back on the chain gang” good for you for getting this behind you.
You passed through all kind of feelings in that deeply sad moment including paradoxally and as always times of laugh and pleasure to be gathered .
The memorial was beautiful . I guess what you felt when Lynn sang Amazing Grace .
Sandy and Connie helped you a lot . Without speking of your children .
You are wonderful,Cassi.
Love
Michel
I can’t believe that chain gangs actually exist anymore! I think perhaps we could do with something like that in the UK but I wonder how effective it is as a deterrent? Such a shame that you have to do it at all but to have ot start so soon after the memorial. Still… what a turn out! It must comfort you a little that so many people loved her and love you. xx