Thanks Gil. I didn't realise just how big the challenges were until I did some research tonight...it's looking bigger than "Ben Hur".

How's it going Vince?

Bushmaster wrote:

How's it going Vince?

As well as can be expected Bushy...thanks for asking mate. I running through the whole gamut of emotions, and now that I've organised the funeral my mind is no longer occupied which means time to think.

Unfortunately I have a brother who is causing problems which is making things difficult and causing me a lot of unnecessary anxiety, anger and anguish. He is already demanding a copy of the Will, even before Mum is laid to rest. I am Mum's Executor and told him that he will see a copy when the time is right, but it will probably take up to 12 months before anything is finalised. He isn't happy.

The funeral is tomorrow (Wednesday our time) and I have my fingers crossed that he doesn't do the wrong thing...for Mum's sake.

thinking of you Mate....stay strong and keep your level head.....

Thanks Elvis. The closer we get, the more the little upsets creep in and I get a tad emotional. I'll get there though.

Howd I miss this!

Sorry Vinny!

95 years of life! Woohoo! Now THAT'S something to celebrate!

Lost mine at 72. It was SAD, same time darn near as the Old Man. Double whammy!

Know what? After I dried my eyes I looked back.

The things they did, the life we had, the decades of love, challenges, everything!!! (I was about a handful as you might imagine)...but me mum was always there. Stern but fair....my lifelong Scrabble partner. Unconditional LOVE!!!

She was 4'10", and put the fear into us all early on- beware the boomerang shoe!

Hugs for ya Vince. Have a good ballin' (DO NOT hold that stuff in!!!), then a good celebration (and maybe some more ballin')! I KNOW for a FACT she wanted you to be happy- what better way to honor her than with an emotional celebration of her life!

Thanks Stovey...you have pretty much summed up my Mum perfectly mate. It's going to be a hard day with emotions flowing freely in all directions from everybody, but as you say...that's the best and most genuine way to celebrate her life and love.

Well, funeral done and dusted...a beautiful ceremony but it was hard. As most are aware, I play the bagpipes and it was Mum's wish that I play for her funeral. One of the hardest piping jobs I have ever done. If you know anything about playing the bagpipes you will know that it is necessary to maintain an even pressure so that the pipes work properly and the music is in tune. Trying to maintain this even pressure and also play the music properly whilst on the verge of tears is not easy...I don't really know how I did it to be honest.

Time to try and relax now.

This evening Vince, sit down with a glass of good Scotch, or your favourite drink, and relax.

And my condolences to you and yours.

I didn't post sooner because I didn't want to take from your thread. I lost my Stepfather on the 8th of July. Mum's second rodeo, lost my Dad 43 years ago.

Good job sir.

Not sure how ya played through. I'm a mess at those things....

Yer a better man than I!

RePete wrote:

This evening Vince, sit down with a glass of good Scotch, or your favourite drink, and relax. And my condolences to you and yours. I didn't post sooner because I didn't want to take from your thread. I lost my Stepfather on the 8th of July. Mum's second rodeo, lost my Dad 43 years ago.

Thanks mate, and you wouldn't have 'stolen' the thread. Sincere condolences to you and your family on the loss of your step-dad mate...it's no less a loss than losing a blood relative. My prayers are with you and your family.

Thanks Slim...it was just experience that kept me going mate, but damn, it wasn't easy, not even remotely.

good on ya Vince Mum would be proud,
sorry to hear that newa RePete.