Wake
 

My wife and I had the pleasure of helping sponsor a get together for our neighbors closest friends and family.
A couple of weeks ago Danny unexpectedly left us due to an undiagnosed heart condition. His wife Vicki had a conversation with him at 6am and 45 minutes later he had expired in his chair at home. Reasonably physically fit, not overweight, etc, 59 years old. Surprise to everyone.
Danny was a surveyor by trade and hated the idea of taking up valuable real estate for the purpose to "stick his dead, stinking *** in the ground", his wishes were followed. Vicki only allowed 10 or 12 people to see him prior to the cremation, I'm honored she let Debbie and I to be among them.
Friends/neighbors usually are a hard combination to combine, Vicki best describes it, "only a couple of people can get by talking bad about Danny, you being his friend and me being married to him".
Seemed always while cleaning up after many of the parties/events we had helped each other put on over the last 20 years or so, sitting back catching our breath we all agreed to not expect a funeral type send off for any of us but to do one just like what we had done the night before. We naturally obliged.

Sorry if y'all find it too strange.

Facilities for the near 80 guests.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...i3/wake012.jpg

Vicki thought they was perfect.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...i3/wake013.jpg

Debbie & Vicki.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...i3/wake014.jpg

Presetup.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...i3/wake015.jpg

Some of the food.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...i3/wake007.jpg

Couple of night shots after winding down.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...i3/wake010.jpg
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...i3/wake019.jpg

Danny, inducted into the military and present.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...i3/wake016.jpg
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...i3/wake018.jpg

And a pretty good night for a send off!
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...i3/wake005.jpg

HEY T

That's the way I want to go, no church or funeral home to sock to my family. Just a going away party for a few family and friends.

I didn't know him but I bet he was looking down and smiling.

A men your in charge of my leaving this earth...

I'm saddened for you for your loss... but also happy for you for the obvious love you shared with him... he was a lucky man to have called you friend. :clap:

Thanks guys.
Sorry I didn't have better pictures and mention of all the food.
There was the usual baked beans, potato salads finger foods, etc. His business partner smoked 40lbs of butts also for the event. We had 40lbs of shrimp, 30lbs of sausage, 25lbs of potatoes, not sure about the corn.

Good friends together, your family, what else is there?

Just this week I have had two close family losses and i truly believe that sharing memories with loved ones is the best thing you can do.

A prayer out to your friend from me.

Very nice send off Tsub. Here's to the life and times of your good Friend Danny.

That is the way to do it, good friends, good food and not taking up real estate.

One question, where are the ashes going?

Currently they are on the headboard, just a couple of feet from where he took his last breath.
Vicki said "he's been sleeping next to me the last 30 or so years, might as well keep it like that".

Oh, couple days afterward, Vicki said "I'm gonna have to depend on you for deer meat from now on".
I replied "nothings changed, he wasn't worth a damn at killing deer, all he was good for was helping drag them out the woods"! She laughed like hell!

Sorry about your buddy Tsubaki, sounds like a real down to earth guy that will definitely be missed but never forgetten by his loved ones.:beer:

Sounds like one of the last of a dying breed has crossed the horizon for the final time.

He'll be there next time you're draggin that buck outta the woods bro.:beer: