ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES

My Uncle died a few weeks ago. He was a funny old Paddy with his melodious patter and glinting eye. In accordance with Irish tradition, his send off was an alcohol fuelled affair. My considerably sized family came from far and wide; my own father and sister having travelled from Australia especially to see him before he went to that big betting shop in the sky. Interestingly, no blood was spilt at the wake. Certain members of my family have what the Americans colloquially call 'Issues'. The funeral itself gave me an opportunity to re-experience the occasion from the mourners point of view; an experience thankfully rare but sorely lacking amongst many of us in production line, corporate funeral care. My company didn't conduct the funeral, thank god. I must say however, the funeral was brilliant, but for all the wrong reasons. London has had a lovely spell of weather lately but on the day, It pissed down. Of course the Irish philosopy demanded that; ''Happy is the...

Sorry that is not very nice is it...oh well. I ran across this lovely video today and was reminded again of how much I dearly love the Melvins. One of my favorite shows was when they opened up for Nirvana in a college basketball stadium in my hometown of ___________. They tore the roof off the place. Nirvana then played and they proceeded to destroy the floor, foundation and 3 square blocks around the arena. It was beautiful. I guess I write this because sometimes when the walls around you are crumbling down upon your naked soul it can still be OK. We need death and disintegration to allow us to build again from scratch. I know that when I see families wrecked and ravaged from loss and sorrow that every once and awhile they come through the other side as much better people. Pain gives us strength if we can get though it. I think. My life as an undertaker has changed more in the last month than in the last 15 years I have been practicing the trade. I have become more engaged more pres...