Arrangements

Tom here. What do I even write.

The last few days have gone past in a bit of a haze.  So much emotional energy spent, with not enough food and not enough sleep.

We've all had little "moments" today, which is Becky speak for a little bit of a cry.  Most of the time you end up having a moment when you find yourself on your own, but luckily we've had each other to distract us.

In trying to keep ourselves busy we've been pragmatic.  The house has been neglected for most of the last week, so there's plenty to be done.  We have also been making a lot of lists such as things we need to do, estimations of funeral attendance, and perhaps most importantly, people we need to thank.

The thank you list is a long one, and to be honest I feel a little bad for not thanking people more on the blog in the Jill Luce way (by not using names).  AA brought us lunch today, and AH provided dinner.  Papa did the shopping and ran errands. Yes, I am allowed to say Papa, because his real name is Cyril. Wait...

We had the funeral directors round at midday and ironed out all of the details over the course of an hour.  Given how organised she was, it's probably of no surprise that mum had already decided everything beforehand.

We even have a playlist she left us.  I don't know whether she put much thought into the order of the playlist though, because I personally wouldn't have immediately followed Eva Cassidy's "Over the Rainbow" by "The boy does nothing" by Alesha Dixon.  It's like she wanted people to go from crying their eyes out straight into dancing the night away!

So, onto the funeral arrangements.

Firstly, we're not calling the funeral a funeral - instead we're having a celebratory service of thanks.

Anyone wishing to attend the service are invited to meet at the St Martins Methodist Chapel next Thursday 27th September at 2:30pm.  A private family cremation will have already taken place.

As was mums wish, we ask that you all wear bright colours.

Donations in lieu of flowers in memory of mum can be sent to either:

• Macmillan Cancer Support (Jersey) Limited, c/o Michelle Parker, Fundraising and Events Co-ordinator, Suite 2.13, The Lido Medical Centre, St Saviours Road, St Saviour, JE2 7LA
• Jersey Hospice Care, Clarkson House, Mont Cochon, JE2 3LB

We're still working on the location of the wake, but we do know that there will be some form of little cakes.  I'll provide an update as soon as I know more.