what a week...wow!

I'll tell you what, nobody...and I mean nobody does a funeral like the Assyrians.

For those of you who don't know, my future bride is of Assyrian lineage. Specifically, her family comes from Iran. In her church, the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East, one sees a people with a lot of emotion and love for God and each other. The Assyrians are from an oppressed history...they are headstrong and devout. And they're beautiful and far better at offering God's extravagant welcome than anyone I've ever seen.

Some of their rites are amazingly symbolic...and we found that out with Nana's funeral. We prayed, eulogized, laughed, remembered and blessed her at church. However, the processional and recessional was a long, arduous and emotional task, stopping a number of times during chanting (in Aramaic) for prayer and absolution. But at the cemetery, after lowering her into her final resting spot, we (the six pall bearers) covered her for the final time. Yes, we shoveled the dirt onto her grave.

We returned to the church for symbolic and traditional meals (rice and chicken with a meat dish that I cannot spell...it's pronounced "hoodish." Sympathy coffee (served black and bitter, as a symbol of the bitter end of life...taken as a group to show the connection we have to each other and the dead) was served, too. But just as Nana always wanted...no matter what...we got dessert! That's Nana, always watching out for us!

I'm absolutely not criticizing this rite. I need to make that clear. However, my brother and I were traumatized for the better part of the day. The emotion of it all was overwhelming. I've cried a bit--away from Kathleen--over it. I just want to remain strong so that she doesn't go all to pieces over my emotion, too. Yet she's been fabulous, strong yet emotional, sentimental yet reverent. I'm proud of her.

Our family has been together for days, at each of our houses in the area, laughing and remembering, coping and supporting. It's been wonderful to see and be with everyone. I love them all.

Kathleen actually agreed to let me bowl Thursday, with the loud guy throwing a 326 (2 pins above my average: 326/3 = 109). It was a nice evening with my friends, with well wishes that overflowed my proverbial cup. I've been humbled by the outpouring of love and affection.

Yet we move on...at least we try. I've been talking with the family and discussing some plans. I won't reveal them here, but watch this space for some important news coming soon. This blog, in the next few weeks, will detail an important and colossal change in my life that I'm sure you'll be interested in reading. But if you see me at an event, please don't ask...I absolutely cannot reveal it to you. Be patient and know that my life is good, and only going to get much better in the coming days.