I suppose most are up to their eyeballs in preparations just now. Preparing the house for the descending hordes of relatives. Preparing the good silverware for Christmas lunch. Wondering what designated job they will have this year: be it preparing the ham, or the salad; perhaps preparing the stodgy plum pudding with the gooey custard that looks like a giant has popped a big, grotesque boil over it (as you might have guessed, I detest plum pudding and custard); or perhaps preparing the baked lunch in sweltering heat that makes the entire house feel like a furnace. Or, there could be preparations underway in the backyard for BBQ to be 'enjoyed' under the tarpaulin borrowed from Apex, which becomes uprooted when the westerly wind appears, and it strikes Great Auntie Ethel up the side of the head and leaves her dazed, with her spectacles dangling askew from one ear. Perhaps the preparations have been done an easier way, and someone has trotted off to Aldi and purchased the pre-prepared turducken. 'Turducken' is a strange word, and to me sounds like some kind of German slang for faeces.
I am preparing none of this. I, together with my brother and sister, are in the process of preparing a funeral. Our father passed away though the week. Yesterday I drove to his house on the property where he lived, and met up with my husband and two of our nephews. I embraced my nephews; the younger of the two (a man of almost 23) and I clung to each other for a long time. Obviously, we all shaken and sad. But eventually, along with my brother and his wife, and my sister and her husband, we set about sorting Dad's stuff. It was a sad day, but also a day of laughter. There is more ahead of us today, and I daresay we will talk about the nitty-gritty for Dad's funeral. We will also go through photographs. I have shared my favourite on Facebook - it's Dad unsaddling his horse after winning the 100 Mile Tom Quilty Endurance Ride in 1968.
Shortly, I will open a box here with some old photographs, to see what I can find. We are likely to have a power point presentation, and I might have some more that would be suitable, although we do have some computer files with the presentations from past birthday parties.
Yesterday was hot and tiring. I couldn't even be bothered measuring out my vodka, lime and soda. Instead, after taking some clothes to whether Master 11 is having a sleepover, I stopped by the bottle-o and purchased a six pack of beer - blonde style (not so much for the lack of carbs, but I actually like the taste). I also saw something I had to have. I know logically I didn't really HAVE to have it, but I wanted it. I petulantly thought to myself, 'My dad's gone, and I want this.' I bought it. It is a small container made of thick glass, and it contains vodka. The attraction for me is the container is shaped like a skull. Another skull for my collection, and it contains a boutique distilled vodka to boot. You must think I'm a total pisshead, Reader. Nothing could be further from the truth; I don't drink a lot at all. The only liquor I can really stand is vodka, lime and soda or a cold beer on a hot day. Oh, I will not turn down a properly prepared Margarita, either. Good wine matched with a meal is also good. But no, I'm not that big a boozer. As mentioned, what got me excited was this little container is shaped like a skull.
RIP, Dad.
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