“May your children have healthy parents”
You may (or may not) have noticed that my blog has been quiet for a week. My husband’s father died a week ago, and we have just come back from his funeral in Adelaide.
Peter died of malignant mesothelioma (due to asbestos exposure) and although his death was expected – even hoped for, because he was in such distress over the last few weeks – it has still been a shock. An intensely emotional time for my family. My husband has lost his father, my children their Opa. My extended family have lost their husband, father, father-in-law. His funeral was a fitting farewell, with a touching and appropriate eulogy beautifully delivered by his only daughter. I thought that some of you would enjoy the flowers that were on his casket.
If you look closely, you’ll realise that among the tulips (Peter and his wife emigrated to Australia from Holland many years ago) and other flowers there is garlic, spring onions, chilli, cauliflower, purple lettuce, and broccoli. Opa was a very keen vegetable gardener!
And as Peter always used to say whenever we had a toast of Bols, “may your children have healthy parents”. May he rest in peace.
Sorry to hear your news. I’m sure he would have loved those flowers. What a special idea.
A beautiful arrangement for your Father-in-Law’s funeral. Condolences on your loss.
Lara, I’m very sorry to hear of your family’s sad news. My thoughts are with you.
Liesl x
I’m very sad to hear of your loss Lara.Take care and my thoughts are with you.
The flower arrangement is very special.
x
So sorry to hear the news Lara…. the floral/vegie tribute is something wonderful to remember on such a sad day.
What a beautiful symbolic arrangement. My thoughts are with your family Lara
So sorry to hear your news Lara. We lost my mother in law about a month ago so I understand how hard it all is. I think the casket arrangement is wonderful.
Beautiful flowers!
For those of us that love creating with colour and form, it is amazing how meaningful the flowers on a casket can be. The vegies and tulips are a lovely specific tribute.
I can vividly picture the flowers from a close Uncle’s casket – he had no children of his own, and was very much a part of our family. Mum and I went to several florists until we found one that seemed to get what we meant about Autumnal tones – we had a very particular range of colours in mind. It meant so much to see them on his casket on the day, along with the patchwork quilt Mum had made him some time earlier.
I am very sorry for your loss, especially at the hands of such a nasty disease. I hope gathering together was a powerful bonding experience for those that are left.
Oh, mesothelioma is a horrible, horrible disease. I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
The arrangement on his coffin looks like an expression of love.
I always reckon it’s the little things – like remembering the Bols toastings and a gorgeous bit of wit with the vegies in the bouquet that make a sad farewell all the more poignant and absolutely personal.
He looked like he was a nice fellow. Sorry for your loss. My children lost thier Pa and me my father just before Christmas. A sad time for the whole family. Thoughts are with you.
Lara, I was wondering where you had popped off to. I’m so sorry to hear about the sadness that has visited your family.
That’s a sweet photo of your father in law. And the flowers are such a expression of life. I am sure as a gardener he would have been pleased if he could have seen them.
Take care of yourself and your family. Thinking of you. Gillian.
Oh Lara, I had been wondering where you were… That bouquet is just wonderful – so personal. Thinking of you and Mr Thornberry…
Lara, so sorry to read you post. My thoughts are with you and your family. Take care.
I’m sorry to hear about your family’s loss. But what an amazing tribute the casket flowers were…you can tell that your father-in-law was not only loved but treasured.
What a beautiful wreath, and a fitting tribute.
Sending thoughts to you and your family.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
My condolances Lara.
So sorry to hear of your loss of such a treasure, Lara. I know he will be missed.
I’m so sorry to read this – I can only echo everyone’s comments and say how sorry I am and that my thoughts are with you all.
I used to work part time as a florist as a teenager – that arrangement is wonderful. No matter what your thoughts about what comes next, you know that someone, somewhere is just tickled pink with that idea. It’s perfect.
Although it is a sad time, I hope that you, your husband and your family can continue to celebrate the life of someone you loved so much. I am sorry to hear of your loss.
Lots of love to you & your family Lara.
I love the vegie flowers. x
Looks like he was a grand and gentle man. Sad to hear of your family’s loss. Will say a prayer for the family.
Very sad – a touching post – fantastic bouquet!
I missed this post. I’m so sorry for your loss. I don’t think there is ever a time when one is ready to lose a parent. And although I haven’t yet, my husband has, and I mourn the loss of my children’s grandparent more often than I thought I would.
Thinking of you.
HI Lara, thinking of you as you learn about how to live without your father/ father in law/ Opa (and the other roles for your extended family) being here in life with you, may his memories remain strong. I really love that photo of him and the ‘floral/vegie tribute’ is just great.
oh lara, i am so, so sorry.
such a hard time for you & your family, & it sounds as though the girls’ Opa was a wonderful man & will be dearly missed by many people
xxx