The Queen’s Funeral

It’s been almost a week since the Queen’s funeral. It feels like such a long time ago. That’s funny because the ceremonies lasted for such a long time. Although it was sad, it was also a great diversion from the routine news these days. And for people like us who love everything British the pomp and circumstances were extraordinary. Yes it was a bit overkill, but there was something else going on. It was the end of an era. I couldn’t help but think of my own mother who died almost three years ago at the same age as the queen. As people who lived for all of those years they had a lot of shared experiences. I was going to major in history before I switched over to nursing of all things! I also prefer non fiction books and biographies to fiction and mystery and other worldly subjects. Whenever special events occur I used to save the magazine covers and newspaper clippings. Now I take screen shots of extraordinary news. During the viewings of the proceedings I took a few photos of whatever was playing on tv. And there were times when I got teary eyed - any my husband did too. I’m glad we both “enjoy” pretty much the same types of shows and programs. That was one of those once in a lifetime events. And we didn’t want to miss it. I’m glad we had the opportunity to visit England three times. It makes these events all the more endearing. 

Live-streaming a Funeral

He was the last uncle in our family. He was my mom’s youngest sister’s husband. I didn’t know him very well. When we moved away from New England when I was a youngster, we weren’t in touch as much with some family members, except for the rare visit and Christmas card exchanges. My mom stayed in touch more with her youngest sister in the later years with more frequent phone calls and emails. A few of my cousins were on Facebook so we followed along there. My mom passed away two years ago right before the pandemic. During the pandemic we started a cousin zoom group and my aunt joined us there. Occasionally we would see Uncle walk past and wave. I would always look for my mom in her sister’s face. We had learned that Uncle wasn’t doing well a while back and on the Saturday before Easter he passed away after being in hospice for a few weeks. The funeral was scheduled for this morning. We learned that the funeral would be live streamed so I tuned in today. My husband and I watched. I looked for my aunt and cousins and their families - many that I haven’t seen since planning my parents 50th wedding anniversary all those years ago, or a cousin wedding before that. If anything good can be said about the pandemic is the ability to visit with people and places via zoom and live streaming. It was a nice ceremony and tribute. Now my aunt is the last of the original family. So today I’m not only thinking of Uncle Bob, but of Aunt Jane and her family, and my family - as well as all the memories. It is bittersweet. 

It’s Been a Year

Valentine’s Day was never a big deal in our house. We like to think that every day is Valentine’s Day. Last year I sent a card to my mom, not knowing it would be the last time. My mom passed away the day after, so today marks the first anniversary since her death. It was also the last time we took a trip anywhere. When we returned from Florida the lockdown started shortly thereafter and life has not been the same since. Everyone says things get better as time goes by and that is true. At least now I can talk about her without my voice breaking or tears welling up. Mom was 96 after all. She had a good life and the last year was not very nice. It was hard to watch her deteriorate and I had a feeling the last time we saw her would indeed be the last time we saw her. I took a lot of photos of pictures in albums while we were home going through stuff. The “estate” isn’t quite settled yet. So I’ll take this time to remember mom. The only consolation I have is that everyone goes through it and somehow most of them figure out a way to cope. It’s getting easier, but I know I’ll never forget. 

A Midnight Walk

We usually walk in the morning. I actually prefer dusk. Every once in a while we go at odd times. And that was the case last evening. Since both my husband and I like history, we are living in it in DC. We’ve been to inaugurations, and everything else that takes place on the National Mall. So last night close to midnight we dressed warm and walked over to the Capitol Building - four blocks away. Then we got in line to pay respects to President Bush. It wasn’t nearly as cold as other occasions, and we were finally inside the rotunda by one AM. We had an opportunity to observe the changing of the guards. The Capitol looks very different in the night hours. The rotunda felt a lot smaller in the dim light and solemn event. We saw President Ford’s lying in state when we first moved here twelve years ago. The visitor center was under construction back then so the lines wrapped around the Capitol building. I have visited the center many times when I worked at the Library of Congress. In fact, I have a piece of the Library’s brick wall from the groundbreaking ceremony that connects it to the Capitol through the underground tunnel. It’s hard to believe we have lived here over twelve years. We wouldn’t miss any of these historical events regardless of what it is. 

Foggy and Silent Sunday on Capitol Hill

Sundays are usually a lot quieter than during the rest of the week in our Capitol Hill neighborhood. But today was eerily so. Maybe because the fog is very thick. The statue of freedom is almost invisible atop the dome this morning. The flags are all at half staff. The Capitol building is being prepared for the head of state funeral of President George HW Bush. The barricades are going up around the perimeter. The last funeral we attended at the Capitol rotunda was for President Ford when we first moved to DC twelve years ago. It was cold then too. We went to pay our respects in the late evening - I remember standing in a line that circled the Capitol building. As we passed by the Supreme Court and the Senate Office Buildings the streets were still empty. Then we headed towards Union Station. The large Christmas wreaths were in place at the front entrance. The large lighted Christmas tree was where it was last year and the many years before that. The train set was placed in the middle of the main lobby with little traffic around it. Somehow it just didn’t feel quite right to be celebrating. When we headed back home we kept hearing what sounded like cannon fire every once in awhile - a salute prep for the days ahead? When you live in the Capitol city you can’t avoid the news and events of the day but you can always decide which ones are worth taking note of and going to. I don’t think we will miss this one. 

Supreme Court Justice Tribute

We took our usual daily walk, but this morning we went by the Supreme Court to see the activity around Justice Scalia's lying in state. The doors were not yet open to the public and the line wrapped around the street between the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court. Obviously there was a lot of press and cameras and spokespersons. They were interviewing people in line. We are planning to return later in the afternoon or evening to go in and pay our respects. When you live two blocks away there really is no excuse not to participate in living history. We went to President Ford's lying in state in the Capitol rotunda, and to see Senator Kennedy's funeral motorcade procession in front of the Senate chambers. It was rather damp and dreary today. I suppose that's how funerals are supposed to be? It is quite a sobering and solemn experience regardless of who it is. 

Rest in Peace Dad