My friend Mel just got back from an aunt’s funeral, where he met family members he did not know he had.
Personally, I’ve met more relatives at funerals than I have at weddings…but maybeit’sbecauseweddings require an invitation.
Lastmonth,myuncletold me that my third cousin had died. No, two cousins didn’t die before her. She was my third cousin because our great-grandmothers were sisters. Confusing, huh?
The word “removed” just means a different generation. So, my first cousin’s children would be my first cousins once removed.
I had not met the deceased, but her obituary photo looked just like my uncle…but without the beard.
I went to her memorial service so I could mingle with familiar relatives, plus meet new ones. As one of my buddies says, “You need to know cousins in several states, so you can travel cross-country for free.”
The deceased cousin was 97, and she had lived a busy life. She’d been married four times, each one an upgrade from her prior spouse.
At one time she’d also been a softball umpire. Maybe that’s why she married so much. When a husband disputed her decision, she just called him “out.”
Since the funeral was at the grave site, attendees then walked to a nearby large tent for a reception. I’ve never seen so many familiar-looking folks whose names I didn’t know.
I talked to several second cousins, third cousins, and even one old guy who looked like he’d wandered over because he smelled coffee.
After the event, I remembered what an old friend told me: “Any time an event serves food outdoors, you’ll see lots of aunts.”.