Gentle time with family

There were children running around including one in a blow-up dinosaur suit. I met some of my husband’s relatives I didn’t know.

Last Saturday, I attended a memorial service for my brother-in-law, Darryl Crossman, in Kentville. He actually passed away just before New Year’s Day but in order to get everyone together, the service was planned for May.

I haven’t been to a church service for many years, I now realize. And although my church memories go back to childhood in the Anglican Church – we called it “high” Anglican then. I’m not exactly sure what “low” Anglican was.

The Anglican service was a lot like the Roman Catholic service but nowadays it’s in English rather than Latin. All the participants did their bit really well – it’s a hard thing to do, especially at a funeral service.

The priest added a lovely thought for us at the end of one of the sermons/homilies. He talked about a sailboat waiting on this shore and then leaving for that far shore. I really thought that was a lovely view to hold in the mind.

The family rallied at my sister-inlaw’s home, and we ended up in the backyard telling stories of long ago “when we were young.” Cousins saw each other for the first time in many years. There were children running around including one in a blow-up dinosaur suit. I met some of my husband’s relatives I didn’t know.

There was a lovely chat with a young new-to-me great niece about what she can expect now that she has her journalism degree. While she has a job, it is not what she really wants to do. I was flattered to be asked. And to round everything off – there was a puppy named Rosie who was good as gold.

Yes, there were a few tears shed but not for long and there was lots of laughter about the antics those boys got up to. It was gentle like the man, the son, the husband, the father, the brother-in-law, the cousin and the uncle we were remembering.

PS – I note with great sadness that there were two ghastly vehicle accidents in the vicinity of the never-ending highway construction zone at Windsor since my recent column on that part of the highway.

PPS – We have a new town councillor in Annapolis Royal. Paul Wear was acclaimed last week. He is replacing longtime councillor Pat Power, who died recently.

PPS – I would like to personally send my thoughts to Val Davies, who lost her husband Peter recently. Peter, as many know, was the town crier in Annapolis Royal for many years. He came to my backyard birthday party a long time ago and rang that bell and said lots of funny things. He also welcomed my family at our reunion. My people were staying at the Hillsdale Inn, and he came in at breakfast crying “Oyez, Oyez, Oyez,” brandishing his bell, and delighted us all.

Anne Crossman is a former journalist and media manager. She now does volunteer work in her community of Annapolis Royal.