Today has been one hell of a day. My lovely sister-in-law’s Grandad has been laid to rest, as has my cousin’s hubby’s Dad who was also a very special and much loved man, and we are waiting on the funeral of my other sister-in-law, Sarah’s, wonderful Gran who also lost her fight for life last week.
While my brother and little sis-in-law attended the funeral, I was the ‘hostess with the mostess’ to Cousin ME (4), Cousin baby J, Misses E and M, and our fab friend Clare who arrived to lend a hand and brought with her chocolate biscuits and AM (4) and baby G. Our contribution to this solemn occasion was to keep 6 small children fed, happy, fairly clean and of course entertained.
I am exhausted as I’m sure Clare is, but to be honest it felt good to be able to do something useful so that my brother Dave could support Helly and help her to say her goodbyes the way she needed to.
Now it is 5.15pm. Tea is ready, the house is tidy and I have to decide whether or not to tell a very tired Miss M that Laura/Flora the gerbil also said her last farewell today. Miss E realized this morning. I couldn’t believe the timing and decided that rather than remove the tank, Miss M and our guests would be informed that Laura/Flora was ‘asleep’ if they asked.
(I am calling her Laura/Flora, as we used to have two gerbils. When the first Laura died, Miss M was unable to say ‘Flora’ so Flora became ‘Laura’. Confused??)
When Miss M goes to the land of nod tonight I will be emptying the cage into the composter and disposing of a sweet little brown body. She has been a lovely pet and will be missed, but I have a feeling we’ll be making a trip to the pet shop next week for another pair of gerbils or maybe some mice.
In the mean time, I will leave you with a few fun moments we had with Miss Laura/Flora during the past year. I thought long and hard about whether or not it would be appropriate to finish such a somber post with these photos, then I thought, well, life goes on, and all the people we have said goodbye to over the last week or so were quick to laugh and smiled much more than they frowned, so smiles will be ok with them I think.
So I give you, the many faces of Laura/Flora the gerbil.
There was the day she dressed up as a ballerina, then as a granny and then as a clown.
And the time when she wore a disguise to hide from Miss M.
And then there was the time when Miss M insisted cousin ME like to eat gerbils…
And the time Miss E was told NOT to tell her small sister and cousin that if you tug on a gerbil’s tail it will actually come off.
Sighhhh. Such memories. But I leave you with the one that is closest to my heart. The money shot, the one I tried so many times to get as I sat at the pc beside her tank.
Yep, the one where she had a little something on her head, because when she did this it always made me chuckle.
Goodnight little furry girl. We won’t forget you.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:51 am
It’s always hard to say goodbye, but you have some lovely memories and children can usually be pacified with a replacement.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I am sure that Laura/Flora would love your tribute to her!
August 29th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Aww. I’m sorry the day was so full of loss. Hopefully tomorrow is brighter.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:07 am
The humor mixed with stories of grieving and loss makes for a beautiful post.
And now I really want a hamster.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Saying good bye is hard but something I have learned is that along with loss there are also those wonderful good .. funny .. make you smile things that must be remembered … and I dont think any of those who passed would want the living to stay stuck in the sad .. they’d want to be happily remembered and for those who loved them to be happy .. so this is a perfect post.
All that said .. I am very sorry for all your losses!
August 29th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Rest in Peace, Flora-Laura. (p.s. mice are MUCH stinkier than gerbils…stick with the little brown creatures or consider a guinea pig…)
August 29th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
R.I.P, Laura/ Flora.
Thanks for all the good chuckles.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I love this tribute. Oh my. I never knew gerbils could be so damn hilarious.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
That was so appropriate in every context! Humor is the medicine that keeps our own clocks ticking. When a loved one’s ticker winds down (be it human or furry), the best way to honor them is by remembering the fun, heartwarming times. Be peaceful with all of your losses.
August 29th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
How is it you manage to be funny and sad – at the same time? You’re a marvel, dahling, a marvel.
August 29th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
RIP Love.
And I loved that purple purse.
August 29th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Nite nite Miss Laura-Flora…there’s a very nice cat up there named Ariel who never harmed a hair on gerbil’s head…do look her up, I expect she’ll be looking for someone to play with, she was only small the other cats were much bigger…she liked her little gerbil friends…Jo, such sad times you’ve gone through these past days, my heart is with you. I have an award for you over at my place…it’s ready for pickup…hugs
Sandi
August 29th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
i told you earlier, and i’m telling you now. tell miss m that she has just had to run to the hairdressers for a color & cut. must you scar your children with death at such a young age?
August 30th, 2008 at 2:16 am
Akela, I just told Miss M and she was sad but is hoping for two brand new gerbils next week, hee hee.
Lori, I hope so. She was a friendly little thing and was used to me chatting away to her while I blogged. Though I don’t suppose she had much choice.:D
Lilacs, it should be. We are seeing friends.
Heather of the EO, thank you, but seriously get a gerbil, they’re much nicer and so much easier, in my very biased opinion.
Daryl I hope so. They were all really special people.
Lee, thanks hon, and you’ve made my mind up, Were getting gerbils. I love guinea pigs but that would be more time and to be honest gerbils are so sweet and easy to care for I’m keeping life simple.
Sybil, she has been such a giver of chuckles.
Hotmamamia, thanks. You’re so right, remembering the good stuff or the funny stuff is always best. It takes time sometimes but we will all get there one day I’m sure.
Maria, thanks sweetie, and I loved the purple purse too. My kids have one a little like it that they use for dress up, but I secretly covet it.
Sandi thank you so much. And little Ariel sounds wonderful. There’s also a big black moggy up there called Myron. I bet he and Ariel are friends.
Holl, hee hee, I couldn’t help myself, and Miss M is pretty canny/kenny you know.
(Sorry if I spelt that wrong Scots people.)
August 31st, 2008 at 11:34 pm
oh no….I go away for a few days and this happens.
not good. I’m sorry…I must have forgotten to feed her.
all kidding aside. I do hope Miss M takes it okay. hugs to her!