I NORMALLY LOVE THE ONSET OF SUMMER, BUT THIS JUNE WAS LIKE NO OTHER. IT STARTED WITH PLANNING MY FATHER’S FUNERAL FOR THE 14TH, AND PREPARING FOR MY MOTHER’S BIRTHDAY ON THE 19TH – BUT WITHOUT THEM. I DON’T THINK I HAVE EVER BEEN THIS INCAPACITATED BY SADNESS.
I BARELY MADE IT OUT OF BED AND TO THE COUCH FOR THOSE FIRST 2 WEEKS I EVEN CANCELED THE FUNERAL SEVERAL TIMES…BUT REALLY COULDN’T. WHAT GOT ME THROUGH WAS MY SISTER, MY MANNIKS AND THE SONG THAT WAS PLAYING AS I LAY BESIDE MY FATHER WHILST HE DEPARTED THIS WORLD- – “Smile though your heart is aching, Smile even though it’s breaking. If you smile
Through your fear and sorrow, Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness- Although a tear may be ever so near, That’s the time
You must keep on trying, Smile, what’s the use of crying
You’ll find that life is still worth while, If you just smile”
HE ALWYAS TOLD US- KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY- FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE
AND, THROUGH THE HAZE OF TEARS- ONCE AGAIN- MANNIKS’ CAME TO THE RESCUE! SOMEHOW THEY HAD MANAGED TO GARNER THE INTEREST AND ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT OF MY NEIGHBORS TO COORDINATE A GARDEN FASHION SHOW! JUST IN TIME FOR MY MOTHER’S BIRTHDAY AND SOLSTICE.