A Reflection

My grandmother passed away this weekend. She was an interesting woman – a clever spitfire with a fond appreciation for beer and cigarettes and a competitive game of pinochle. I wouldn’t describe her as soft and gentle, but the truth is her spunk is what made her great. She spoke her mind and didn’t let anyone get in her way. And she loved her 15 grandchildren.

My grandmother’s death has provided time for reflection, and I’ve discovered a few things:

1. Life is short and precious.
2. Saying “I love you” is essential.
3. I have nothing to wear to a funeral.

Now I could babble incessantly about numbers 1 & 2, but who doesn’t know that already? These are the deep conclusions that everyone comes to at certain times in life. They are the closing lines of movies, themes evident in great works of fiction. They are the choruses to rock ballads and love songs, the impetus for subtle poetry.

And they are probably underscored in the visual arts somehow too, but I’m not one for staring at Jackson Pollack paint splatters or something called a “bust” to discover a truth that could otherwise be gleaned from a fortune cookie.

As for number 3 though, this is a very important discovery for me. I really have nothing to wear!

So, ok, I have no funeral attire. However, I DO own plenty of other activity-specific apparel, such as:

“I really should join a gym” swimming suits
“Prepare to gorge thyself” elastic-waist pants
“Another one bites the dust” summer wedding dress
“Stupid mosquito!” camping pants
“Please hire me so I can afford a better suit” cheap interview suit
“No I’m not homeless, but I am washing all my good clothes” ketchup-stained laundry outfit

and most importantly…

“Dear Lord I hope I get lucky” undergarments

See, I'm prepared for many occasions! I’m hoping to redeem myself somehow for not being a “real” adult and lacking the essential attire for all the curves that life throws me. So I own no funeral clothes – does that make me such a bad person?

I’m not sure how my family will react to seeing me in my camping pants and bikini top at the service, but I think they will forgive me. I guess that brings me to the fourth thing I have discovered:

4. Love is unconditional. (Well, at least I hope...)