Farewell to Uncle Ted

Last Friday, 4/9/2010, our dear Uncle Ted passed away, surrounded by his family. Corbin and I were in Las Vegas at the time (yes, we need to backtrack and blog that experience!), and Gary and Sue were here in Driggs with our kids. When Corbin and I returned to Driggs on Tuesday night (4/13), we shared the sad news with the kids. Maggie was mad that she hadn't gotten to call Uncle Ted one more time. Connor had some very sad moments. Brady was stoic, but had lots of questions.

Joe and Ruth and Maribeth were able to be at Ted's wake and funeral in New Jersey on Tues (4/13) and Wed (4/14). Jay was in NC, awaiting the birth of his 4th child!

We decided to declare today (Friday 4/16) "Uncle Ted Day." Today there was a Memorial Mass at St. Patrick's in Lawrence, MA for Ted and then he was laid to rest with his parents, Winn and Ed Kelley. Since my children were sad not to be there for the funeral, we decided to have our own "funeral" here ... a little memorial service of our own.

After school, the kids gathered all the things that reminded them of Uncle Ted (most were gifts from Ted). We put them all on a table, then hung pictures of Ted above the table. Connor made a "Good-bye" sign and hung it with the pictures. Maggie, Connor and I got dressed in "fancy clothes" because "Uncle Ted liked to dress fancy!" Mags and I were wearing jewelry from Ted! The whole family sat around in a circle and shared our favorite memories of Uncle Ted, what we will miss about him, and what we'd like to say to him. Then we got out the phone and called Heaven "432836." Maggie had a nice long chat with him (she told me tonight that she could hear him, he was just whispering!) and Connor and I each talked with him briefly Connor closed with, "And, Uncle Ted, would you please take care of Huck up there?!" After some prayers, we all listened to 2 versions of "Danny Boy" (on youtube!!). Our service was concluded with a blessing of a piece of bread and bottle of sparkling grape juice (all completely Connor's doing). We shared the bread and juice and toasted Uncle Ted and then each had a piece of Priscilla candy in his honor!

What a special way for us to celebrate Uncle Ted's life and say a proper "good-bye" to him ... even far away from the rest of our family.

And in the amazingly wondrous ways of the world, Sara and Jay welcomed their daughter Remy Genevieve Trepanier at about 4am today. Remy is adorable and all 6 of the NC Trepaniers are doing well!! As Maribeth reminded us all today ... The Good Lord Giveth and the Good Lord Taketh Away ...