The Chi-Indy Express

[synapticjava]

I was woken up yesterday morning by my brother calling to tell me that my aunt, Heidi, passed away early that morning, and Mom was trying to get ahold of me but can't find my number. Once I finally got ahold of my mom, she told me the same thing: Heidi died because the carbon dioxide level in her blood was too high (she's been in the hospital for weeks, now, because of this).

Honestly, we weren't close. I didn't really even like her all that much - I was never comfortable around her at all. It's my dad's baby sister. But still, I wanted to pay my respects, so I asked my mom to call me later with the funeral information so I could try and get home for a visitation or something.

Um...wrong. She requested that I, my sister, brother, and 6 of our cousins be her pallbearers. Firstly - who does that? When I go, either throw me in a ditch or cremate me and scatter the ashes wherever's most convenient. I don't get the burial/funeral procession/rites thing. I just don't. I don't want a bunch of people carrying my dead body around - that's creepy.

Anyway, this is the big move weekend, and the visitation/wake is on Friday, while the service is on Saturday (they're catholic - they like to drag out everything [no offense to any of you who are catholic - but again, I don't get it]). Meanwhile, I'm supposed to be in Indianapolis Saturday night for a big dinner thing for Frank, and I have to work Friday morning. So my mom booked a flight.

here's how the weekend -from here on out known as the Chi-Indy Express:

Friday: Work at 6am, get off at 10 and get to the airport by 12, my flight leaves at 1. Arrive in QCs at 2, go straight to the visitation/wake and dinner for the family.
Saturday: Get up, get to the funeral home by 8am and get everything finished for the service. Do the whole carrying of the body (words cannot express how creeped out by this I am)/burrial/etc thing, directly followed by the party (they're irish), then get to the airport by 2 - my flight leaves at 3, I arrive at o'hare just before 4, with an hour layover. Fly out at 5, get into Indy at 7:47 (a half hour late for the dinner).
Sunday: Get up and get Frank's uncle's truck, drive to my new store for a meeting at 6:45, leave right after that for Chicago.
Monday: get up, move out by noon, and get back to Indy by 5 to return the truck.
Tuesday: work at 4am (guh!), get off at noon and move into the apartment.

It's okay if you wanna cry for me just a little bit. I know I do.

Comments

[wilde-moon.livejournal.com]

Holy shit! Yeah, I kind of want to cry for you. Damn. So, you're spending your next day off in a coma, huh? *shakes head* This, right there, that's why I hate moving. Again I say, damn.

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

I would rather my body be left out in the desert for wild dogs to eat.
However, when my best friend died, I did feel it was my duty - no, actually, my right, on which I insisted on taking from one of his bastard family members - to help carry his coffin.
But yes, it was creepy thinking of him in that box.
It was creepy seeing him lying dead in the hospital too.
It seems weird to have to do it for someone you didn't even care for though.
I think I'd have said no, given how busy you are.

[caviling]

O.M.F.G.

Something to read on the planes, if you haven't already (and being a psych major maybe you have): The American Way of Death, Jessica Mitford.

[cryptic-design.livejournal.com]

All I can say is: 0_o.
I will definitely be crying for you. I would cry if I had to do all of that in a span of five/six days. Best of luck! :)

[lunabee34.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for both your loss and the hecticness it's causing you.

[strix-kojak.livejournal.com]

hugs.
Is that a steven walker painting in your name thingy?

[nashmaveric.livejournal.com]

Holy crap. ::is all wide-eyed:: Erm... as my best friend says, the trick? is to keep breathing. ::nodnodnod::

[chocgood84.livejournal.com]

*deep breath*

It's a good trick, it is. And thanks:)

[chocgood84.livejournal.com]

Why yes it is. There's a link to his website here on my page:)

[chocgood84.livejournal.com]

Thank you, love:)

[chocgood84.livejournal.com]

Thanks, hon:)

[chocgood84.livejournal.com]

I have not read that, actually. I'll definetely keep an eye out for it, though. I amused myself with Dean Koontz's Forever Odd instead.

[chocgood84.livejournal.com]

In the end, I only did it because it meant so much to my dad, and that alone makes it worth it, even if it did mean bending my principles a little bit.

[chocgood84.livejournal.com]

My next day off...which is...sometime next week, I think. I'm pretty sure I'll be unpacking then. lol.

Mmm...coma...mmmm....

[caviling]

I've never read any Koontz; I should someday.

I think, after experiencing a big ol' funeral, The American Way of Death will resonate for you.