Snow Day

I've now been up for 28 hours straight. After taking care of some business, I will finally take a break and get some sleep. I worked the visitation for "Big Dick" last night and he was pretty well behaved. The pressure of all that weight forces any liquid in your body, out. Unfortunately for us, it was leaking out his nose. I was able to keep him presentable for the viewing.
Since we were double booked for this morning, I sent a substitute to work his funeral. And I opted to cover one in another town.

After just 45 minute of snowing....

During the visitation last night, it started to snow. Now, keep in mind that we just melted off the foot and a half that had accumulated over the last month, two days ago. Well, we're back to a foot of snow again. It just kept coming all night long. Driving home was near impossible. I couldn't see more than 20 feet in front of the car and there were no lanes to follow on the freeway. What should have taken a half hour, took two hours to drive. Then I was off to work at the drug store with my nerves wound up so tight. I got out of there this morning with just enough time to  change my clothes, dig the hearse garage out and drive for an hour and a half (what should have been 20 minutes) to today's funeral.
I don't know how much of Detroit news gets out there in the real world, but we recently had a young man shot to death for the $95 that he was going to pay someone for one of those new android phones. The deal was made through Craigs List and the sellers never intended on selling anything. This poor young man met up with these guys with cash in hand and was robbed and shot on the street. This is the man that I buried today. It was very hard for his family to let go as he was only nineteen years old. His parents were a half hour late for the service because they just couldn't cope with the loss of their son. At the end of the service, when we were on our way up to the front of the church to wheel the casket out, the young man's brother jumped up on the alter and said to everyone, we will now open the casket and have everyone pass by and pay their last respects. (We already did that before the service) So we did as he requested. When everyone had their second chance to say goodbye, we closed the casket once again and proceeded to the cemetery. With the newly fallen foot of snow and a graveside committal with over two dozen cars in the procession, it was quite cold, windy, snowy and downright messy. But we got the job done.
I want to add that the two men that killed him have been arrested. It seems that the same technology that they used to set up the robbery is what got them caught. For future would-be Internet robbers, everything is traceable.
This all leads me ask the question, "Why are these kids so trusting on the Internet?" People in general are genuinely nice. But there is that small percentage that will beat you, rob you and even kill you without flinching. Trust is something that must be earned. It's when we forget this, that someone gets hurt.

As for the snow issue, the plow trucks have been busy and are doing a great job. We can almost see pavement again. But I will wait for tomarrow to venture out anymore. This time for a funeral of a long time family friend.

Aluminum!

Holy Incredible Dancing Dryer Vents!It was a one night show. When my sister booked this show, it was obscure and they weren't sure if they could sell it out or not. They totally should have done more than one show. Everyone had a great time. They had audience participation and the props come right out into the crowd. I gave up my front row seats to a friend and it ended up that they drug him up on stage and made him dance. The place was packed with young and old, and the kids in the crowd couldn't stop laughing at some of the antics. If they had done more than one show, the word would have gotten out quick that this is a must see.

After the show, the entire crew was in the lobby greeting the guest and demonstrating their costumes. In these pictures, an unsuspecting guest was swallowed up by one of these dryer vents on steroids and forced to dance with one of the stars.

I'm totally wanting one of these as my Halloween costume this year. We are planning a BIG event for Halloween this year. But I'll have to keep that as a future announcement because I'm still working on the details.

" Reminiscent of Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil, The Aluminum Show is a sparkling world of illusion and fantacy for the entire family. Through the use of special effects, creative mechanisms and acrobatic dance, inanimate objects come alive with the same emotion and personality as human beings."

For those of you that come here for funeral stuff. Tonight I am advocating diets. I am working the visitation of a man that weighs over 500 pounds. Since his name is Richard and he went by "Dick", I can say that I am showing a big dick tonight. His family paints a great picture of him and everyone seems to have loved him. But really folks, someone has to pick you up when you die! Be nice to your funeral director, loose weight.

After that it's going to be a marathon of work. I have to work the drugs store over night and then we have two funerals booked for morning. Then a funeral for a friend that died on Tuesday, back to the drug store then another booking for Wednesday. So much for 7 hours of sleep each day.

Dralion

I am officially old. And I love it. Anyone that knows anything about Detroit knows that it's not the friendliest place in the world to visit. Driving there and parking you car is "just asking for IT". And you can just imagine what IT is.
My husband and I have long wanted to see a Cirque duSoleil show. Finally, one has come to Detroit.

 http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/dralion/default.aspx

Dralion is showing right now at the Joe Louis Arena, downtown on the riverfront.  

 So, how does this make me old?





 I took a tour bus down there to see the show.

A whole bunch of seniors and us. "There's young handsome men toward the back of the bus, ladies. Make them feel welcome."

It just made sense. No driving to Detroit, the tickets were $20 cheaper per ticket and no parking fee. We met the bus just a few miles from our house. After that, we just relaxed and enjoyed the show. Our seats couldn't have been better. Right center of the stage and up just enough that we could see everything.



You can't take pictures inside, but it was such a nice day to be downtown on the river front that I couldn't help myself outside.

Joe Louis Arena is famous for it's steep steps at each entrance. This is where the Detroit Red Wings play their home games and is one of the nicer things in this dilapidated old city.

I did sneak this picture of us during the intermission. I hope that I don't get arrested.

When we came out of the show, which was amazing, our bus wasn't there. We were left standing on the stairs waiting for it. So I ran across the street to the riverfront and shot this of the sun setting beyond on the bridge to Windsor, Ontario (Canada). For those that don't believe it, we'll recap.... the sun sets in the west. Yes, Canada is actually South of Detroit. 

Tonight, in just a few hours, we'll be going to see a show at a theater closer to home. My sister is the booking agent for this venue (Center for the Performing Arts) and was sweet enough to get us some great seats to "Aluminum" Which I believe is very comparable to a cirque show.

So it's a weekend of theater for us. Before we embark on yet another crazy week of celebrating lives. It's looking like we are going to busy this week. Maybe I'll come away with a few good stories for you.

Celebrate your life now - chapter four

For the last instalment in this series, we have a few lines that I've heard over and over in eulogies. Starting with one from just last Saturday at my friend and co-workers funeral. His motto...

  " Do the right thing! "

And here are some more that have stuck with me...

 Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

 However good or bad a situation is, it will change..

 No matter how you feel, get up, get dressed and show up.

 The best is yet to come..

 When you awake alive in the morning, be thankful for it.

 Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

I leave you with this quote that I ran accross while putting together these post.

We're not dead and we never really will be ...“You will just get up, one day, and get out of the movie.”
     - Esther Hicks


We are each born with a wealth of potential. What will you do with yours?
Don't be affraid to try something new because the same actions every day will only bring the same results.
I know that you've heard all of this before. I can only hope that you've taken a part of it all in and are living your life for yourself. It's only when you do, that others will benefit as well. (it's contagious)


Be happy my friends and remember.... Always leave them wanting more!

Celebrate your life now - chapter three

In this third segment of celebrating your life, we'll take a look at Society.
Some things to remember when interacting with others around you. Others will love you, if you first love yourself. You can achieve this love by doing these simple things.

 Call your family often.

 Each day give something good to others.

 Forgive everyone for everything.

 Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

 Try to make at least three people smile each day.

 What other people think of you is none of your business.

 Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

It's so sad to see a funeral where only a handful of people show up. Be that person that packs the parking lot and has standing room only at your last showing.

Celebrate your life now - chapter two

Now that we've dealt with our health, lets take a look at Personality. 

Here are some more ideas that I've picked up whilst celebrating the lives of the ones that we have lost. 

 Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

 Don't have negative thoughts on things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive, present moment.

 Don't over do it. Keep your limits.

 Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

 Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

 Dream more while you are awake

 Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..

 Forget issues of the past.. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

 Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

 Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

 No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

 Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

 Smile and laugh more.

 You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

 You dont have to attend every argument that you are invited to...

These are my commandments. Obey them and live a peaceful life.

Celebrate your life now - chapter one

Do you want to feel and look better?  Do you want to attract more positive things into your life?
Do you want to live a longer healthier life? 
Here's some things that I've learned from the business of celebrating peoples lives.
Wouldn't it be great if we celebrated our lives, while we were still here?!

 Drink plenty of water.

 Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

 Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..

 Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy

 Play more games

 Read more books.

 Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

 Sleep for 7 hours every day.

 Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Will you live longer by doing these things? I don't know. But I do know that you will enjoy the time that you do have a lot more.

Succeeded

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of Intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
     - Ralph Waldo Emerson

The man we buried today had done all of that. He truly was a great man and will be missed by not just everyone in our corner of the world but by many others whose life he has touched.
He came from a simple start in a small town in Ontario, Canada and through the years built up more and more of a following. Everyone that knew him will forever be changed.
After working in and managing several theaters around Ontario, he moved to our town to take a position of general manager of the new ice arena and convention center. Thirty years later he retired and started helping out part time at our funeral home. Over those years, he was manager of the local International Hockey League team and even Governor of the IHL. He was a moving force behind high school hockey, minor league hockey and figure skating. He was instrumental in starting many careers in hockey for many big names in the sport. He was also involved in the city politics and a fighting force for growth and development. When someone that he knew was struggling, there would be a mysterious envelope of money that would show up without explanation. He never wanted credit for anything, but was always there to lift someone else up to shine in the spotlight.
A touching eulogy was given by none other than NBC's sportscaster Mike Emrick. As manager of the convention center he befriended many celebrities over the years including Liberace and Johnny Cash.  Welcoming them into his home as well as being invited to spend time in theirs. In reference to the video that I posted last week, he is survived by his wife of 64 years and will be missed by us all. As the Father said at the beggining of the service this morning, his life was more than that, it was a ministry in itself. He has set an example. An example that I intend to follow. I want people to remember me the way this great man will be remembered.

Rest well "Moe", you have succeeded.

Survived by his wife...

OK, we need to lighten up the brighter side a little. This little video aught to do the trick.

Enjoy.

Ponderings

Each day, we go into a different church. Each church has their own ideas of who God is to them. Also each day, we see the miracles all around us that is nature. Is that God? My husband poses this to the blog world....

Is it possible that someday there will be a theory (explanation) of God in science, and if this did happen would God still be classified as supernatural or would we reclassify him as a natural phenomenon. And most importantly can we ever classify him as a natural phenomenon, and now my head is about to implode, so I will say Auf wiedersehen for now.

one person responed:

I think this would fall in the category of meta-physics. I would not shy away from some evidence of a god or gods but I can't imagine what that evidence would be. I think first we would have to change our concept of what a god is.

another said:
I say just look to nature and the laws that it follows and you will see the evidence of God, or what we call god, in everything around us.

Some might say that the storm devastating most of the United States right now is God and he's mad. I welcome this storm. I see it as a chance to take a break from the everyday and do something a little different. I don't think God is mad at all. He's just sending us a message. What is that message to you? And do you think there could be an scientific explanation of God?