Eulogy Help

[monster]

I know y'all don't know me very well, but I respect your opinions and I need some help (particularly form the Brits, but all contributions appeciated).

My paternal Grandma died yesterday. It was relatively sudden, but in a way that was a blessing -she was 96 and in an old folks home and not particularly enjoying life anymore.

I've been informed that there will be just one floral tribute from "the whole family" -which is fine but... leaves my only option to participate -as an expat who won't be able to attend the funeral- as a written contribution. I've never done this before. It will be a church thing. I am an atheist. I have no wish to offend. So I'd appreciate opinions as to whether what I've written is appropriate to be read at a Church of England funeral or not.

thanks

here it is:

Florence May Thingumajig -better known to me as Grandma.

I’m sorry I cannot be there today as the family gets together to celebrate Flo’s life and to say goodbye.

When I left England, I took a little piece of each of you with me. You are all always with me. Grandma will always be with me, no matter where I am. I hear her in Hebe’s happy chatter, I see her in Hector’s twinkling blue eyes, and Thor’s mischievous giggle is as traceable as a fingerprint. (Not to mention that he chatters more than Hebe!)

I think of Grandma every time we make apple pie –of how we used to insist that it was no longer a good idea for her to climb those steps to pick her own apples, so she just did it as soon as we left (Thor thanks you for this trait, Great-Grandma).

I think of Grandma as I teach Hebe to play cards. We haven’t got to Bridge yet, but there’s no doubt that it will be as natural to Hebe as it was to Flo.

I think of Grandma when my children win swimming trophies –she never really got to know my children well, but I remember the immense pleasure she found in all the sporting and academic achievements of all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and I know she’d be smiling if she’d been there.

I remember the unusual cache of toys she had when we visited –in the metal tin with the raised picture that we used to like to do “brass rubbings” with. Hector would have loved that -and the pool balls. (He and Thor would probably have fought over the purse –Hebe is much too sporty and grown-up for such things!)

I think of Grandma as I juggle all of my children’s activities, timetabling them with military precision and arranging carpools, making sure they get to where they want to be, somehow. Grandma never drove and had a huge circle of friends and still seemed to manage to be everywhere she wanted to be. Thanks, Grandma.

I will miss Grandma very much, but I already missed her as I miss all of you. Every now and then, I see an element of each of you in my children and I remember you. And it is in this way I will remember Grandma –still very much part of my present and a source of great happiness and fun.