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- Aug 26, 2011
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Since many of you seemed genuinely moved by the tragic story of Fishy's 39-year-old sister-in-law who died of brain cancer last weekend, I thought I'd post a short report on her funeral today.
Malini's funeral mass was held at a lovely white wood-framed Roman Catholic Church. (The church's beautiful simplicity made it look more like a Congregational Church, but it seemed the perfect place to celebrate the life of this beautiful woman who exemplified such simple virtues as love and caring and commitment and hard work and optimism. In other words, no pretense, nothing fancy).
The service was heart-breaking, but very warm and dignified. Malini's husband (Fish's brother) somehow managed to keep his composure as he delivered the most loving eulogy for his wife (whom he met on their first day of college). And the priest, who knew Malini well, gave a beautiful, personal remembrance about her. And her two little boys, aged 7 and 10, presented the Hosts at the beginning of Communion. That was when I lost it.
Malini had an Indian/Filipino background and had been raised in the Hindu religion before converting to Catholicism and raising her sons as Catholics; therefore, all her family members there (her mother, sisters, etc) were of the Hindu faith. The priest recognized this and embraced it, so he urged all those who would not be participating in Communion to come to the altar to receive a blessing while others were receiving a wafer. They all did. It was another very emotional moment.
Fishy, who has been an incredible comfort and help to his brother's family during several extremely difficult weeks, continued his role of family patriarch today, making sure things ran smoothly and making sure everyone was as comfortable as he or she could be -- especially the two little boys who adore him You all would have been proud of Fish.
Malini's funeral mass was held at a lovely white wood-framed Roman Catholic Church. (The church's beautiful simplicity made it look more like a Congregational Church, but it seemed the perfect place to celebrate the life of this beautiful woman who exemplified such simple virtues as love and caring and commitment and hard work and optimism. In other words, no pretense, nothing fancy).
The service was heart-breaking, but very warm and dignified. Malini's husband (Fish's brother) somehow managed to keep his composure as he delivered the most loving eulogy for his wife (whom he met on their first day of college). And the priest, who knew Malini well, gave a beautiful, personal remembrance about her. And her two little boys, aged 7 and 10, presented the Hosts at the beginning of Communion. That was when I lost it.
Malini had an Indian/Filipino background and had been raised in the Hindu religion before converting to Catholicism and raising her sons as Catholics; therefore, all her family members there (her mother, sisters, etc) were of the Hindu faith. The priest recognized this and embraced it, so he urged all those who would not be participating in Communion to come to the altar to receive a blessing while others were receiving a wafer. They all did. It was another very emotional moment.
Fishy, who has been an incredible comfort and help to his brother's family during several extremely difficult weeks, continued his role of family patriarch today, making sure things ran smoothly and making sure everyone was as comfortable as he or she could be -- especially the two little boys who adore him You all would have been proud of Fish.
