Even though the trip was a supposed vacation for Uncle Bill and Marion, I believe we drove straight through to Holland. We certainly had enough drivers to spell off.
When we arrived, the thing that I remember first was ironing all the clothes I had packed. It is strange the things that stick. It took quite a while...perma-press was still in the future!
I was sleeping on the couch when Mom woke me up and said Daddy was sick. Actually, he was stretched out on the kitchen floor and I think he was already gone. Anyway, my job was to entertain Becky and Jan and to stay out of the way. The first ambulance that was called could not find the house. It was a muddle. I called Ginger's school and told them that she would not be returning. I think I also called Roy's school. Roy had a paper route in Holland. I don't know who took care of that.
Daddy had been paid the day before and Mom said he endorsed the check which was unusual. He always waited until he got to the bank. So, Mom was able to take the check to the bank and have some cash. Daddy's life insurance with his employer would not be effective for another six months. The only life insurance was credit life on the 1957 Dodge pick-up. I believe that is why I am such a stickler for having life insurance coverage. Well, that and the fact that I worked in life insurance for 25 years.
We went to the funeral home in Holland for visitation and then Daddy's body was sent to G'burg by train. To ship a body cost two adult fares. Roy really wanted to go, to travel with Daddy. However, it was not allowed. I think Roy was 13.
We somehow packed up everything within 24 hours. I guess all that practice we had while moving kicked in.
We now had two vehicles to drive, but we were able to make it. Someone met us in Kansas City. I think it was Uncle Arthur. We were pretty well packed into two vehicles so it helped to have another car to spread out.
We had another service in Greensburg. The usual procedure for that time was to have all the family gather for the "flower ceremony" where the funeral director read all the cards on the floral arrangements before the funeral service. After the funeral service, Aunt Faunie said that she thought the flower thing was the whole ceremony and that "even though Bud was an ornery cuss, he deserved more than that!" (Most of Dad's siblings called him "Bud." Probably like us calling Aunt Estella "Sissy.")
This has been a difficult part to write. The words don't seem "heavy" enough to portray the hole that this sent all of us into. I guess all I can offer is the facts as I know them.
The narrative of this day, in my mind, is the one from Mom's point of view. I guess it never dawned on me that each person's experience would be from their own pov. (because, although I was there, I do not recall that day)
ReplyDeleteI remember bits and pieces. I think I remember Daddy lying on the couch. I do remember the funeral home and everyone going to see him. I was being held by someone. One of you guys said, 'he looks so natural, like he's asleep, and could just wake and sit up'. I remember thinking it looked like a pretty comfy bed (the casket), and why didn't he...just wake up and join us, that is.
ReplyDeleteFor perspective, Jan, you were about Opal's age.
ReplyDeleteAnd I was about Jolene's.
ReplyDelete