My father’s service on Sunday afternoon was a very moving and, if this is the right word, satisfying occasion. Judging from the guest books and the seating capacity at the Santa Barbara Unitarian Society, we had 350 people in attendance. My father would have been amazed and pleased.
True to my father’s wishes, the service was filled with music — the ceremony finished with the nearly fifteen-minute long slow movement from Beethoven’s Archduke Trio, one of my father’s favorite pieces. Three of his dear friends played it, and moved those who were not already weeping to entirely appropriate tears.
I’m still behind on many things — I have thank-you notes for flowers and food to write, for example, and student papers from last semester to send off — and that will all happen soon. As it is, I’m easing back into things and feeling pretty good this Wednesday morning.
Welcome back. Sunday’s service sounds like a fitting remembrance of a remarkable man. I want to tear up just thinking about the music; it must have been beautiful.
Hey Hugo, Welcome back. So sorry to hear about your dad. It’s a rough ride cancer. I went through it four years ago with my dad, and my mom was just diagnosed Stage 4, Kidney. Say a prayer for us, and for Afton who might not get to know her fabulous grandmother.
Cynthia, I am so sorry — you all are indeed in my prayers.