Aunt Jean
Yesterday I attended my 5th virtual funeral. The first one was my grandma's and I listened in via phone. At that time they didn't yet have video virtual ceremonies set up.
My Grandma (my dad's mom), Bill (Patti-Jo's dad), Gary (childhood neighbour's dad), Don (Brian's uncle), and now my great aunt Jean.
My aunt Jean was my grandma Connie's sister. They were very similar and best friends. She attended so many birthdays of my aunts and uncles when I was a kid on my mom's side, and every year we celebrated with a big family Christmas with 50 or so people on the Hall side. (My grandma Connie's maiden name). Usually it was at my great uncle Dave's house, but one year we celebrated at her house and the house felt so full. So much love in a small space, but the size of the space didn't matter. We also had so many family gatherings at the Listowel park, complete with games for the whole family to play. My aunt Jean had 4 kids of her own and after figuring out single parenting for a while, she finally found Alfie who spent the time to look after her for 42 years. She always called my sister Mandy Goats. (I have no idea why). I can also hear her calling me Leannie Uppie. I do know why she called me that. My great grandpa (Gordon) started calling me that when I was little because when I tried to jump I could only lift one foot off the ground and found it difficult to raise two feet at the same time. So a few family members kept it going and she was one of them.
I am thankful for virtual funerals, but they aren't the same as hugging the ones who are grieving.