Mr. Snicketts
Friday, August 5, 2011
In which Grandpa is laid to rest and the entire day seems properly befitting the occasion…
It was hard to find the right words to document the passing of an era…
Everything seemed to change after that day.
After carpooling in the caravan with the rest of the kids under gray skies befitting more of autumn than summer — Mom and Dad had left earlier — they met shortly before ten o’clock where the family was beginning to gather in a prayer circle before the visitation began. In the end, the whole family, excepting Samwise and the four younger girls aside from Whisper, was present. The mood was easy enough altogether. Uncle Balthasar was his usual joker, calling himself an old man and making inappropriate comments about Fernando chauffeuring Jashub from the airport (just having returned from Chicago) saying something about an Hispanic bus full of chickens…
In immediate reflection…
Collette realized that it was the best funeral she had ever attended.
The visitation hosted by Martha and the five children and their spouses, Grandpa’s ashes surrounded by a small variety of flowers, including a large green plant given by Grace Presbyterian. Sinai came, as did Mr. and Mrs. Rum, Mr. and Mrs. Swiss, Uncle Mo and Aunt Petunia, Theodore and Gloria, and a collection of folks from Angelica (Grandpa’s place of work for over thirty years) and the Fox.
A minister who could have passed for Mickey Rooney according to both OLeif and Joe. A music leader with a fine-soul voice. A gracious homily and some very fine words by Aunt Corliss, commemorating Grandpa’s strong work ethic, stewardship, and work in the church, the Boy Scouts, his hobby of electric trains, etc. She handled herself as well as only a Snicketts would.
As they walked outside to the memorial garden where Grandpa’s ashes would be placed amongst other former members, Puck was concerned…
“Are they leaving Grandpa in the wall forever?” he asked.
Nerissa started laughing.
Carrie and Rose left shortly after, Carrie home (she was tired) and Rose to work.
The hospitality ministry of the church then invited them to a luncheon of dollar sandwiches (turkey, ham, or roast beef on soft rolls), a tray of sliced cheese, whole baby pickles, salad, fruit and various melons (including watermelon) sliced into delicate wedges, potato chips, cream puffs, chocolate cake, carrot cake, and very good cheesecake. And lemonade, iced tea, or ice water.
And after a time of everyone sitting together and catching up on life, they were invited to Uncle Balthasar’s 55th belated informal birthday celebration in New Town.
“He’s very excited because now he can get the senior discounts at restaurants,” Aunt Tuuli explained.
It was great to see Linus again after three years too. He was still at MIZZOU. And then Jashub was considering plans to go to Africa the following summer, one reason being to visit the Compassion child he sponsored in Kenya. And then possibly Uganda and Tanzania. Uncle Hilario and Aunt Corliss — it was hard to believe they were in their 60’s. Mom and Dad seemed the same, really, looking younger by the day. They seemed still seemed so young. Uncle Clarence — so many mannerisms like Dad, and Aunt Galena, gracious as always. Martha managed herself admirably. Eriic and Amanda were just as cute together as always, Amanda being already six months along and as skinny as a pencil. Brit and Lilli in from Kansas City and Esther and Jude from Indianapolis, Polly in curly blond hair and silky blue and white polka-dots, sweet Blessing, and Balthasar’s boys and their wives with grinning Whisper… two rows of a good-looking family. And Puck walked around with OLeif’s suit coat on his head showing everyone the eyeglass polishing cloth that OLeif had given him and bringing general amusement as usual.
On the ride back to the house as they discussed worship in the Methodist church, as the dark clouds piled in odd shapes in the skies and the lightening flashed… as could only be predicted —
Torrential downpour in the valley. So heavy, the road could not be seen.
At the house… quick catch-up.
Drop-off of Puck at the Silverspoon’s to spend the night, and for OLeif to test drive Izzy’s new gold Protege. A manual.
And out, under the gray skies, to Uncle Balthasar’s. Most of the family ended turning up. And Lilli, who was like ‘a gem; the room always gets brighter when she comes in’ (as OLeif put it), had brought the girls. Little darlings.
It was like something had changed that day. The family seemed closer, more connected. Uncle Balthasar shared a last recorded phone message that Grandpa Snicketts had left for them shortly after his birthday in February. Somehow, it had never been erased. And there were tears. Sometimes the Snicketts couldn’t always hold it together… but sometimes, they didn’t need to.
There was talk over the genealogy, a look into Uncle Balthasar’s huge two-part garage of cars, motorcycles, and segways. A large amazingly good Costco cake iced in a fat primary color caterpillar.
“The more globs of icing, the better,” said Uncle Balthasar, as usual.
Pizza hut pizza and cheesy bread.
Photos of Jen’s new puppy.
Uncle Balthasar talked about the possibility of the new Peabody Opera House, and the competition it would spark with the Fox…
The little girls squealing and giggling.
And everything was just as it was supposed to be.
Back to the house for a 7:30 movie night. Carrie playing some Croatian love songs sent to her by an old friend back in ‘the mother country’. Magnus showed up not long later, and Bing, with his collection of films. Carrie had made a very good peach and cardamom cobbler… even Magnus liked it and had two helpings.
“Quick, eat it all,” said Carrie, “before Dad comes down to eat it.”
Sure enough, Dad was already making his descent. And upon entering the room…
“Oh! This cobbler is so gross!” Magnus said loudly. “It’s nasty!”
Even Dad brought out the smile lines.
Bing’s choice, an unbelievable presentation entitled The Night of the Hunter. He was duly applauded for his selection as they watched, mesmerized.
The day was good.
A new time, a new change, a different family, a closer family. And just as it was supposed to be.