What a long week this was.

It all started with the passing of Shannon’s Grandmother on Sunday morning. Her health had been declining for some time, and as much as any of us could have prayed for, she died peacefully in her sleep. Gran was a neat lady, and I’d grown to like her a great deal over the years. She was the proverbial Irish spitfire, and I’m sure Heaven’s echoing with the sounds of her telling the Angels to bugger off and get her a Scotch on the rocks and a cigarette. We’ll miss her very much.

And then came the onslaught.

Shannon’s Mother, Sister and young Nephew flew in the next day. Her Stepfather was already in Philadelphia, and they all met together there… And then they came here.

As I’ve mentioned before, Shannon’s parents and I do very well together. They’re hard working, well intentioned people and through the years we’ve all come to learn how each other deals with things and where we all stand.  At the end of the day, we all love Shannon and the rest has worked itself out nicely.

Then there’s the Sister. Where to begin…

There’s a useless segment of the population in this country that designs nothing, produces nothing, contributes nothing, and overall is simply just a drain on the rest of society. You know, the “the world owes me” folks. Along with being the poster child for that group, she’s just not a very nice person. ‘Nuff said.

Well anyways, it was to say the least a hectic week. Shannon, her Mom and Uncle Bob had to arrange for the funeral, cremation, interment, and associated ceremonies and gatherings. Everyone needed to be called (and quite a list it was), and throughout all of this, life rolled along around them. Of course, everything got done and all went as well as possible. Gran would have approved.

Everyone flew out the following Sunday, and the carnage cleanup has begun. Some of those staying with us regarded the situation as being at a motel, and housekeeping just missed out on this one. The rest however, assisted with trying to make the cleanup as easy as possible. Either way, it’s getting back to normality at the Malmstrom home, and none too soon.

And on to the next chapter we go…

Phil Malmstrom
philm@mycoffeecuphasfeet.com