For Gracey

Memorial Day dawned and I felt a mix of emotions, I was full of dread as it was my time to say good bye to Gracey, however I was happy as it was a celebration of her Life, I was also eager to FINLLY meet some new friends. 

I had plenty of time to do not a lot so skipping breakfast ( I really didnt feel like eating) I went for a wander around Hailsham, there isnt much to see but its a quaint little village and the Corn Exchange a very nice Pub/Restaurant/Club and BnB. The place is like a tardis, it really is HUGE!!!

I wandered around and found a florist, I had already decided on getting a single red rose to place next to a picture of Grace in the church, however the Florist didnt have any roses except pink and I didnt like the Idea of pink so I got a single stem of White Stargazer Lilies. My favourite flower and I thought this was more personal. The nice lady wrapped the 4 flower stem in cellaphane and asked if I wanted white ribbon. Nah it HAD to be blue *giggles*

So with the strong scent of lily following me down the Road I went back to the CE for a Latté before getting ready for the service. I took my drink and lily to a table and I seemed to stink the pub out hahahaha.

after that I had plenty of time to Shower and put a face on. I knew that I had to look my best, if I didnt Gracey would have frowned down on me no end! My blue dress that I had brought special was still in the plastic baggy thing that they put clothes in and all neat and tidy, I put the shoes on and decided that after last weeks antics the cuts (YES P.. I said CUTS!!!) on my feet were not going to like the stilettos so I decided on flats. I had my faithful lappy with me so while I was getting ready I was blasting out some of my faveourite tunes, I was determined to find my happy place. 

I met L and we wandered to the church, we were early but one of the last to arrive. I was able to have a chat with the reverand, hand over the CD and find a place for the picture and lilys.

I sat in front of S&T and handed out the order of service, S had an inkling she would be speaking but Id not had the chance for a confirmation on that one so left it as a surprise. I was able to have a chat with people I knew via forums and FB but had never met.. so many to list. The Rev. then started the service with a welcome and then played Adagio for strings the opening music. This gave people the chance to listen to a lovely piece of music and this was important to me as Gracey had said she wanted it played at her funeral so I obeyed her one last time. 

Then the Rev. gave his religious spiel, for people who know me know that I am Pagan and proud and DONT do church. Gracey wasnt really religious, saying she went to church to make friends and improve her singing voice, and as she was a regular at St. Mary's it was an appriopriate place. I was surprised to hear that Grace used to sit near the back of the church tho, she wasnt the sort to stay in the background. 

After the opening Verse it was time for a bit of singing, so along with the bagpipe version of Amazing Grace people mumbled the words. Surprisingly this was the part that had most people crying!!!!

Then on cue was S to read a poem and a few words as requested by a doner. The Poem gave me a lump in my throat, I had read it several times but that did not stop the emotions. 

L2 then read a piece of writing done by Lo, this was a rather witty piece of writing and caused a few giggles which was the intention. The piece summed up Grace as she was, I was given a copy of the words and they will go into a memorial box with everything else. 


It was then my turn... I had my speech all planned and everything but I lost my words so made it up as I went along. I kept looking at people and saw a few red eyes and had trouble keeping composed, though I did it :) 


The Rev. then did final prayers and stuff and then it was time to Play the final music 'I'll be missing you' by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans... This I think surprised everyone but I did notice that people were bopping along, which was nice to see :) 

We then spent some time milling around and it was nice to see so many people there for Grace, around 50 in total I think. Neighbours, friends and church goers, no family but then I didn invite them... they would not have been welcome so nerrrr

Half of us went back to the Corn Exchange for nibbles and more getting to know each other, it was really nice, we nattered, shared memories and ate nibbles :) Some of the laydez had come from all over IOW, Oxford, Kent and Sussex, was really nice to see people who had travelled. If I could get such a vast array of people willing to travel when Im sent off to the other world I'd be a happy bunny indeed :o)