And in the center ring, A FUNERAL

There's a lot of exposition in this story. It would have been easier just to have been there, dear reader, but you wouldn't have enjoyed it. It's long, but it does get entertaining. Really.

It was my mother's funeral, and outside the snow was beginning to ease up. The church wasn't full, not in a town this size and with many of mom's friends dead or too old to make the trip from wherever they lived, but it was a respectable showing, and it was enough: enough that the speakers could be heard, enough that the quiet laughter at humorous memories sounded appreciative rather than lonely.

Not enough to drown out my son's protestations at having his freedom curtailed. When you're sixteen months old, whaddareya gonna do? Fuss, that's what. That's what toddlers do.

mljm</> finished her music and came down to sit with us. When J became too boisterous, she left with him, God bless her. I've been told over and over that the sound of a child in a church is no big deal, often welcomed by the older members of the congregation who love the life it brings and, truth be known, probably can't hear it anyway, but it ruins the experience for me and always has. We should have kept him around though: he might have enjoyed the circus to come.( The Madness of King Joe. )

And in the center ring, A FUNERAL

There's a lot of exposition in this story. It would have been easier just to have been there, dear reader, but you wouldn't have enjoyed it. It's long, but it does get entertaining. Really.

It was my mother's funeral, and outside the snow was beginning to ease up. The church wasn't full, not in a town this size and with many of mom's friends dead or too old to make the trip from wherever they lived, but it was a respectable showing, and it was enough: enough that the speakers could be heard, enough that the quiet laughter at humorous memories sounded appreciative rather than lonely.

Not enough to drown out my son's protestations at having his freedom curtailed. When you're sixteen months old, whaddareya gonna do? Fuss, that's what. That's what toddlers do.

mljm</> finished her music and came down to sit with us. When J became too boisterous, she left with him, God bless her. I've been told over and over that the sound of a child in a church is no big deal, often welcomed by the older members of the congregation who love the life it brings and, truth be known, probably can't hear it anyway, but it ruins the experience for me and always has. We should have kept him around though: he might have enjoyed the circus to come.( The Madness of King Joe. )