The Early Years - Chapter 3: The Funeral

Alphonse

     ‘Mother always looked after her children.’

     I was crying at this point.

     ‘When I was first born, she would hold me and sing me to sleep. She would look after me.’

     Tears dripped down, splashing on the farewell letter. My brothers and sisters were watching me. I told the congregation gathered about how my mother taught me how to read, the time she took my brothers and I to the arcade, and the times she would stop our fighting. I recalled for everyone that one time on the farm.

     ‘I was out in the fields as a young boy, and I was hiding from my sister. We were playing hide and go seek. I was hiding behind the old pig barn. My mother would often use the area as a clothesline, and that day she did. She saw me hiding there, and told me that my sister was looking for me, so I explained the situation to her, and she was okay. As a matter of fact, when she saw my sister come by, she pretended as if she hadn’t seen me there at all.’

     This memory brought a tear to my eye.

     I continued, ‘My mother taught me, what true love was all about. She taught me that people who love you will keep your secrets, are always there to protect you, and don’t care about little details in your life.’

     I saw my sisters trying to hide their tears.

     ‘Everything we’ve gone through with our mother, all of it was made worth something tonight. We all have memories which we can say have taught us at least a little about life. We all have memories to share about her. Mine are as her first son. I just want to thank you all for being here to give your condolences.’

     The church was full of now sincere faces. I continue speaking while deep down all I could do is remember that time on my thirteenth birthday, when mother spent a weekend with me at the beach, because all I really wanted was to go swimming.

     ****

     ‘Thanks for bringing me here mamma.’ It was a nice warm summer day, and mother brought me to the beach house my aunt owned. That weekend was my birthday weekend. It was just the two of us. The first thing we did when we got there was swim. We were in and out of the beach house to get our swimming gear on, and I jumped in the water as soon as I got out. I rushed out though because as soon as I got in, I was struck with a cold chill, and decided I needed to slow down in the water.

     ‘How’s the water?’ laughed my mother.

     ‘It’s not funny mamma!’ I splashed her with one of the biggest waves I’ve come up with to this day.

     ‘Of course, I’m sorry.’ I remember mother splashing me back.
     ****
     After finishing, I sat back down, and Darlene was up next.

Eric

     Sitting in a church hall, all I can do is think about what’s been going on. The man that just left the pulpit was talking about his memories of a farm and his memories of life with his mother. It was a touching memory, and there was not much more left to it, but it made me wonder about what life with my mother was like if she were still around.

     After the man left the pulpit, a woman went up and began to speak.

     ‘My mother helped me out in times of need. We’ve always had our girl on girl moments. I could tell her anything, and she would be able to help me out. When I met my first boyfriend, she talked to me and asked me all about him.’

     Her story continued like this, and then I got up and walked out. I honestly hadn’t wanted to hear it. I needed time to think.

     Someone walked out and came up to me; it was one of the twins that were sitting in the same pew. She came up to me and asked what was wrong.

     ‘Nothing really. I’m just trying to decide what I should say.’

     ‘Well, I can’t suggest much, but try and remember everything you’ve ever been through. Pick the memory that you remember with most happiness.’

     Happiness…

     I wasn’t even sure what that meant anymore. It’s been so long since I last experienced happiness that, I don’t know the real meaning of the word.

     It was really hard for me to remember anything. All I can say is that I remember having moments with this woman, but that I also don’t remember anything else.

     **** 

     Re-entering after a while, I realize that it was my turn to go up and speak. I’m not sure what to say, as all I have to go on is a few small memories of a woman who I seem so far away from.

     ‘I don’t know what to say. I remember her coming up to me on the train ride to the city, when I had to leave my friends back home. She would come up to me and give me a hug. She must have sensed my loneliness. I’m grateful for that one memory, because that seems to be all I have now.'

The Seeker

     He seemed against himself, that young one. Eric never really was one to connect with people. From what Beth told me, he missed his friends back home. I doubted it possible to be so close to someone at the age he left. Beth had once told me something about her youngest son, which I think might help him to escape his bear trap.

     ‘Friends, the ceremony has ended. I wish you all the best.’ I approach Eric after everyone else has left.

     ‘Eric, how is it that you remember nothing about your mother?’

      He didn’t know. He just stood there, head hung low, saddened by his mother’s death.

     It’s times like these where I truly feel sorry for Beth’s children. They never experienced childhood as they should. They needed to grow up on the farm. Right now, all that I can see them going through is lack of order, total confusion. I had wished that there was something I could have done.

     The church was quiet. It was just Eric sitting there. I was standing next to him, praying. I wondered if he was praying as well. Maybe he was trying to figure out why he didn’t remember anything. Maybe he was trying to remember something.

     Footsteps filled the hall as I began to leave. All of a sudden, the voice from behind me whispered, ‘Father, Thank You.’