Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Preparations




Most Aussies are comfortable wearing casual clothes nearly all the time, especially in the country areas.
But my husband rightly pointed out that our children's best clothes, Tshirts and shorts with runners/sneakers for footwear, are simply too casual for their Grandfather's upcoming funeral. Several shopping expeditions have been required to source multiple skirts, shirts/blouses, trousers and shoes for our eight children. There is also a hint of excitement after their initial hesitation.

Miss E (5) was delighted to find some sparkly, silver flats today for her footwear, just what she was looking for - so thrilled in fact that she wore them all afternoon until one of the elastic bands broke! I've had the sewing machine out to repair them. There'll be the boys' trousers to shorten tomorrow too......

I also want to express a big THANK YOU to everyone for your kind and understanding words, thoughts and prayers, they mean a lot to us, especially at this time. Things are coming together very well (at last) towards Thursday's funeral and all the family is coping better than expected. And I must say, the children look very smart and more mature in their new clothes!


28 comments:

flowersandhome said...

Casual clothing on a funeral would not be done here either. It is a weird feeling isn't it to go shopping for clothes to wear on a funeral, somehow I never wear those clothes again afterwards, not intentionally, it's just how it is. I remember being so overwhelmed by emotions when my grandfather suddenly died when I was 14. He died in the night after we had been together with the whole family all day. It had been such a fun day and there was nothing wrong with him. I felt like I was living a dream, like it wasn't real, so strange, I remember it as if it was yesterday. And then came that whole shopping for clothes. I just couldn't understand, I couldn't care less about clothes at that time. It's taken me a long time to get over it. Luckily I had a teacher at school who I could talk to and that helped me so much at that time.
Thinking of you all. Wishing you a lot of strength.
Marian

Giga said...

To były smutne zakupy, ale potrzebne. Buty oczywiście najważniejsze. Życzę dużo siły w czwartek dla całej Rodziny. Pozdrawiam.
It was a sad shopping, but necessary. Shoes, of course, important. I wish you much strength on Thursday for the entire family. Yours.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Marian that must have been so hard. To have your grandfather die so suddenly would be such a shock.
My dad died after a very long struggle with illness (Parkinson's disease and dementia) nearly three years ago. I let the children wear whatever they had, but this was during winter so at least they had long jeans and jackets to wear. I knew my dad wouldn't have wanted us to go out and buy clothes just for the funeral so we didn't. We felt a little underdressed but it wasn't an issue. So it took me a little by surprise when my husband insisted on better clothes this time. Thankfully some good is coming from it and the children are taking a little pride in what they are choosing to wear and I hope they will want to wear their new clothes again. We've not tried to do any homeschooling this week, just working on preparations and assisting my husband's mother.

Karen

Robyn said...

I've never been very good at saying the right thing at sad times such as this, but please know my thoughts are with you and the rest of your family at this time. Robyn x ps. shoes are adorable!

Susan said...

Your children will be proud of themselves in their new clothes- they will make you proud of how grown up they look and behave. And their grandfather will be smiling down too!

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

I believe you are right. I know their granny will definitely be smiling at them, and so will I.

Gone Country said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. But, I'm happy that the children are liking their new clothes! May God continue to bless your family and give you peace as you ready for the funeral.

Garima said...

God bless your family...hope the good times come again soon! :)

Beth said...

I am so sorry for your loss,

I grew up in a family with 8 children and to this day I wonder how my mom managed us all. Bless you and your lovely family!

Beth

Rosemary Aubut said...

So sorry for your loss! Sure your family is beautiful with or without new clothes but I do understand the scramble to have them look there best! Grandpa would be proud I am sure!

Cinzia said...

A big hug to you and your family...
Cinzia

Charlotte Wilson said...

I think the world has become too casual. I have seen jeans and sweatshirts at funerals and weddings! What are they thinking? It sure doesn't show much respect.

So sorry to hear of your loss.

geanina said...

a big hug to you!:)

Karen said...

Sorry for your loss. Black and suits are what used to be worn for funerals. My husbands mother isn't faring too well at the moment, and that time may well be for us too soon. Best Wishes for you and your family.

Unknown said...

Such a sad reason to have to shop...Wishing you and your family all of the best, xx

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

i can imagine the bit of pride they will have wearing their new clothes. the sparkly flats are precious! praying for your family during this time!

Tricia said...

Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss. Both my grandpas died last year. It's so hard to think about, but I just try to focus on the fact that they're in a better place and feeling happy. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

amanda said...

We went through something similar with our five children in February, as my husband's grandmother passed away. She, too, hovered at the end, before finding peace.
It was expected, but it had not crossed our minds until arrangements were being made, about what to wear.
It seems such a trivial thing, yet it reflects so much respect.
My thoughts on this didn't just apply to the kids, but to my husband as well. He doesn't usually wear ties, and is not comfortable in dress shoes.
But he was a casket bearer, and what I learned was, most days we dress for ourselves. But for funerals, we dress for the other person.
He looked his best as he carried his grandma away - the seven grandsons were quite a distinguished sight.

Best thoughts to you during the coming days. Wishing you love & peace in your memories and strength in your togetherness.

isabella kramer - veredit said...

these shoes are really beautiful and if I was five, I'd want me borrow.

my warm thoughts are with you.

hugs from
isabella

Gina said...

I am sorry for your loss but am glad to hear that your children are coping well. The loss of a grandparent is definitely one of the difficult things in life.

Unknown said...

You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers..

Hugs~

Debbie said...

i am a causual dresser as well, i don't even own a dress....

such pretty shoes for miss e, i'm sure all of your children will look beautiful on thursday!!

sending you a big warm hug from the jersey shore!!

TheChieftess said...

Now why can't I find shoes like that for me???

Nikki said...

Karen, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

ps Those sparkly shoes are very pretty.

Elise Lea said...

So sorry to hear about your father in law, I'm sure he'll be looking down admiring Miss E in her new sparkly flats along with all your other little ones in their new clothes. Your family is in my prayers.

Bratte Bakka said...

wonderful pictures!

Cathy said...

I love her sparkly shoes, perfect for a five year old.

Appropriate funeral wear is important when it is deemed so by the family. It adds a heavy dose of memory.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

At Mary and Paul's Place said...

Don’t stand by my grave and weep,
for I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond’s glint on the snow,
I am sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
Don’t stand by my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die.
~unknown Native American

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