Today was tough. Mom's friend came over and drove Frank and I over to the funeral home in her Rolls. She wanted to be there with us for moral support. I appreciated it. She's been a big help.

I was more or less ok through most of it, working out all of the details, the obituary, etc. But when it came time to select the casket it was very, very hard. As soon as we chose the one we wanted I just had to get the hell out of there for a couple of minutes. I stepped outside and smoked a couple of cigarettes just to not be in there for a few minutes.

I reluctantly sucked it up and went back inside to finish the details. Total price for a fairly simple funeral? $9,780. Unbelievable.

I've never been so glad to be out of a place in my life. We returned home and rested for a little while. Then the visitors started dropping in to express their condolences and such.

Mom's minister stopped by for a brief visit to see if we needed any food or whatever and to confirm the time for the service. Nice guy, but I could tell he was a little uncomfortable with the fact that Mom's friend and I were both drinking a beer and smoking (Frank doesn't drink). He never said anything but it was pretty obvious he wasn't too sure how to take it. After the funeral home I needed a beer.

The mininster did comment that he found it rare to visit a grieving family and hear them sitting around telling funny stories and making amusing comments about the departed and could tell she was truly loved. Frankly, telling funny stories about Mom was the only way we could keep from weeping.

I did find it funny that Mom's friend, her name is Naomi, didn't notice that I had shaved off my beard since she saw me yesterday. (Mom always hated my beard so I shaved it off for her funeral). As we were climbing into the Rolls she looked at me funny and asked if I had gotten a haircut over night. I just shrugged and told her no, I just washed it.

It wasn't until we were sitting around on the lanai this afternoon that I made some off hand comment about shaving and that's when she finally realized that the beard was gone. I look so different with and without a beard that it just amazes me that people don't immediately notice when it's gone.

Well, anyway, the viewing is from 2 - 4 on Sunday, and the funeral will be at 2 on Monday. That will allow enough time for the rest of the family to get here from out of state. It will be a grave-side service just as she requested, and the funeral home has strict orders to not accept any flowers as she didn't want them. She'll have a single red rose in her hand, just as she wanted.

I'm just glad that part is over. It had to be done but it was damn hard going.