Sept 30 Services Firmed Up and First Week Without Her

I started to draft this installment to the blog almost one week to the minute that she left me. Before I get into that, I do want to share important information about the September 30, 2023 memorial service. Also, Jennifer's obituary will be updated tomorrow with this information.

The September 30, 2023 funeral mass and luncheon arrangements have been firmed up. The mass will be at 11:00 am at St. Ann's Church. Immediately following the mass we will have a luncheon at the St Ann's Hall (or what I call the old South Central Junior High Auditorium - Go Cougars) in beautiful Butte, America. The Front Street Market will be providing the catering for the luncheon.

I also just want to take a moment to thank my family members that have been assisting/guiding me on getting all this stuff arranged. I don't want anyone to think I have been doing this on my own, because I have not. In particular I want to thank my in-laws Jim and Elaine Benner who have been instrumental on so many things. Also, I want to thank my sister-in-law Jeanne Farrell for agreeing to pick out the Biblical readings for the mass and sister-in-law Janice Gray for picking out the music for the service.

I am not going to lie; Jennifer and I were not devout church goers. Don't get me wrong we were strong in our faith and our beliefs, but we did not attend church regularly. However, that being said St Ann's Church has always been a special place to Jennifer and me. Jennifer was the first baby that was baptized in the current building. She made her first communion there. We both made our confirmations there and we were married there on August 12, 1989. So, I feel it is fitting that we have the final celebration of her life there.

I went and played Bocce ball early this morning and I got home to wait on the Water Softener people to come and start the evaluation and fixing of the water problem. As I figured our back pressure valve is having issues. We have high water pressure coming into the house. So, I have that to get fixed. It should be under warranty but is a pain I could have done without,

So, as I was waiting, I started to sit down to write about completing the first week of not having her. I realized as I was doing that it was almost one week to the minute that she left me. I called 911 at 10:16 on August 8. I started writing this blog today at 10:15. Of course, and please notice I said started, because my day went from zero to 60 in a few seconds just shortly after that and it has taken me a while to get back to it. As I was starting to write I was getting all teary and the doorbell rings.

I get up and go answer the door and it was the water softener guy. I am sure he was probably thinking what kind of nut job do I have here. I open the garage door and go around to meet him. I get my composure somewhat back and explained that I had just lost my wife a week ago at exactly this time, and I apologized for being somewhat emotional.

Anyway as he is starting to do his thing, I get a call from Father Hanley to discuss Jennifer's arrangements. So I am trying to juggle two things at one time and I am not sure that I was doing either very well. So I am sure that guy went back to his shop and told his co-workers about the nut job he was working with today and Father Hanley is thinking Oh boy this guy needs help.

Father Hanley if you are reading this (I gave him the link to the blog) I promise you, I am not as screwed up as I probably came across on the phone. Don't get me wrong, I am not exactly normal either, but that is a story for another time.

Well long story short, I have made it through one week and while I sometimes feel like I am stuck in the mud. I struggle to get things completed and thoughts bounce around in my head like those little rubber super balls we used to get as kids. I did mention earlier that I have no patience or as Jennifer used to say I have all the patience in the world because I had not used any of that God gave me. I like to get things done in as timely fashion as possible. I know it will get better and I need to give it time. So, i tell myself suck it up buttercup and do what you can.