He loved orchids

Today was a sad and happy day, so there were mixed emotions. Not only for me. Today was the day I attended my aunt Cathy's funeral. A lot of family members, friends and acquaintances showed up. There wasn't enough room for everyone to sit. In fact, maybe more people were standing up than there were people sitting. I was lucky to get a spot to sit down. With my stupid disease I could not have stayed up for a very long time. The service was beautiful. I shed tears as well. I didn't know if I would. I felt somewhat bad because I really didn't know my aunt Cathy as well as some other people. But I feel so bad for her, and her family. She has a son the same age as Seth, and three other children as well. And of course her loving husband, my uncle. She was too young to die in my opinion. And I would have loved to get to know her better. Unfortunately I'll never get that chance. When I first met her, she made me feel welcome in the family. I will never forget that.

After we said goodbye to Cathy, some of my family members were walking towards my father's grave and they dragged me along as well. Only I didn't want to go yet, as I bought white orchids for my father and of course I wanted to place them on his grave. ChEeTaH went to the car to get them, so I could walk to the grave. My mom told me my father's favorite flower was a white orchid. And I was lucky enough to find a florist with one remaining white orchid! That's what I call lucky. I was very emotional to see my father's grave, as I had never been there before. He passed away in 2001, but I got my invitation 15 minutes before the service started and I was so shocked I didn't know what to do. I was also very afraid to show up. I had never seen anyone from the family. Well they knew me from when I was a baby, but I couldn't remember anyone.

The pictures show my father's grave. He doesn't have an average grave stone. He has a special rock. On the right is a jar with a message from my (long lost) little sister Dayla. On the left is my white orchid and some other flowers (not sure who brought them). I'm glad we went. I just wish I could visit more often.

Afterwards the family gathered in the hall of the grave yard center and decided we would go to have a drink and dinner at my aunt Joke's (and uncle Hans') home. I think everyone liked me being there. I met new family members, who I had only met through the Internet. Was so much fun! The food was great. We tried on funny hats, talked a lot, watched childhood videos (also with my dad in it!) and loads more. Unfortunately the night went by way too quickly. But we have talked about arranging a family reunion sometime soon and we'll help, by setting up a (closed) website for this.