Well, Maude. I Channeled You Yesterday as I Accidentally Attended the Wrong Funeral Service Before Finding Myself at the Right One. Poor Carolyn.

I was running behind, but knew I'd enter the chapel in time for the service. 12 pm, with a gathering afterwards. I heard the music as I approached and I guessed, "Oh, must be they started, so I snuck in through a side entrance...perfect time for the choir's singing of Amazing Grace, in front of a casket, with all eyes on me coming in the wrong door. I ducked to the side and, after the singing, I found a seat in the back to keep myself hidden. I began to look around for friends and family and I didn't see anyone I knew, except for the University President in the front row. 

The eulogy was great and I kept wondering who this Carolyn was, as I was there to support Jay and his loss of a wife, Joli. It didn't take me long to realize I was in the wrong service. I looked at my phone and realize I was an hour early. Wrong celebration of life, but I stayed, trying not to crack up as I've been known to do. I was a good boy.

When I left, Father Syvard came up to me and said, "Phew. Good to see you, but we need to rush these people out. I have another one at 1 and it's going to be so much more lively and fun."

That would be Jay and Joli. I told him my accidental arrival and he said, "Don't worry, Crandall. It happens all the time. But this is always fun to share with the other Jesuits." I went to my office to call Chitunga to say, "Guess what your dad did?" I returned to the ceremony I was originally supposed to be attend.  And it was a beautiful meditation on a soul who lost her vibrant joy way too young. Cancer. Age 36. Jay was an incredible speaker and his words were a true demonstration of their relationship. In some ways it was cosmic and out of this world.

Afterward, I met with a colleague from Long Island, Darshna, and met her husband and daughter, who were traveling through Connecticut visiting colleges. I missed them at Fairfield because of the services, but we caught up at the Trumbull Marriott between Sacred Heart and Quinnipiac. Loved making our National Writing Project reunion near my home and to meet the family of a woman I love and respect. Have always been a fan of hers. 

I was going to go to a basketball game, but it was too cold and the wins picked up so I started my Sunday crockpot last night so I'll have food for the week. When someone said we were experiencing fake Spring they were right, because the temperatures have returned to bitter again. Brrr. Just makes me want to sleep.

Now I need to great. I totally bypassed Saturday from getting anything done, besides two funerals and a reunion, which I'm glad I did. Let's hope the students nailed this assignment, as it will make my life that much easier.