(no subject)

I just received word that my grandfather passed away. I suppose that I should qualify the "grandfather" label with the further explanation that he is my stepfather's stepfather, but that doesn't truly convey his importance in our lives.
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I don't think that Mac wants his memory to bring tears; he'd prefer that we drink a toast (or nine) to him instead. There will be both toasts and tears in the days ahead as we honour the memory of this lovely, lovely man.

God bless you, Mac. You will be sorely missed.

(no subject)

Just got back from doing the family thing. Jacquie, my grandmother, is doing fine and is baking up a storm but everyone else is pretty emotional. Not that it stopped my stepfather from putting in a request for a pie (Jacquie makes awesome pies). Nothing can get in the way of George and his pie!

I was right in assuming Mac didn't want any fuss. In fact, he went one step further - the silly bugger donated his body to science!!!!!!! He's on his way to the University of Toronto as we speak. How completely bizarre.

A university representative called when we were there and it was quite interesting. They wanted to know all sorts of info about Mac. It wasn't just his medical history (they had that). They wanted to know things like his parents' names, the year he was married, etc. Personal things that would make him more than just a body. I had no idea they did that. Don't get me wrong, I am horrified at the whole idea, but it went a long way to making everyone feel better about the whole thing. Which is probably why they do it. Good for them.

Things feel really unfinished this way. Mac was very clear in his will and in his conversations about what he wanted, but it kind of leaves the rest of us in the lurch. Ceremony and ritual have a purpose, and it sucks when you can't perform them. George's family and my mom are extremely non-religious (I have one of those families where I am a rebel because I don't drink or do drugs), so they don't even have that outlet. I've always thought it was weird that my little sister and brother managed to grow up without any awareness of organized religion at all. Cat Pee and I were exposed to religion through our other grandparents (remind me to tell the story sometime about how we we had a secret Anglican christening that the Catholic paternal relations still know nothing about). Anyhow, my point is that Cat Pee and I at least have the solace of offering a prayer privately. The rest of the family doesn't, and I think that they are feeling the lack right now.

But this isn't a religion thing - there won't even be a wake or gathering. That just seems so wrong. Again, I'm not surprised, but I really don't like it. Oh well. That's life (or death), I guess.