It was upsetting to see Great Aunt Amy preparing for the funeral of Ted – her husband of 50 years. We took it in turns to make sure she had company, but it was difficult not to interfere when her behaviour seemed quite bizarre at times.
‘When I called round, Amy had her photos all over the place. Understandable that she wanted to be with her memories but they looked so disorganised. I took her an album on the next visit, but she just put it to one side. ’
‘Yes, I couldn’t get her to talk – she just seemed to be mumbling as though she was trying to get something straight in her mind. ‘
‘You don’t think she’s going a bit, you know, funny?’
‘Well it must be a terrible shock, and she wants to talk about Ted at the funeral – so that’s more pressure.’
I had put off seeing my great aunt, mainly because I didn’t know how to handle a visit. But needs must, I took a turn.
Amy had a piece of black velvet spread in front of her. On the velvet were sparkling pieces of something that looked like glass shards. She was mixing them then drawing them together and then arranging them in a line. The first worry was that she would cut her fingers, but looking more closely it was obvious that they were crystal beads.
‘What lovely beads, Aunty. Are they from an old necklace?’
‘They are indeed. It was the first present Ted ever gave me and I kept the beads when the string broke. Such a precious memory of our life together’
‘Perhaps I could have them restrung for you and you could wear them again. Maybe at Ted’s funeral?’
‘Wonderful idea. Will it be ready in time do you think?’
‘I’ll do my best and it’s important to at least try if they’re so important to you.’
‘You’re very good to me. I’ve been looking for a photo of me wearing the necklace.’
We searched through the untidy piles of photos and found several of Ted and Amy and quite a few of her wearing the crystals.
‘You know Aunty, I could very easily get some of these pictures made into a file and we could project them onto a wall at the funeral. Is that something you would like?’
‘It’s beyond me, but I’ll leave it in your hands. I’ve got my speech to think about.’
Come the day of the funeral I went round to Amy’s house with the restrung beads and a print out of her photo display. She beamed, and we rode, in the first of the family cars, behind Ted for his send off.
The best bit – if funerals can have best bits – was Amy’s address. She spoke about the projected photos, about the day of their engagement, about the first gift of the crystal necklace (still doing service). Words flowed. She was fabulous, such a credit to life she and Ted had shared.
