Writers' Group Exercise

Pat's Funeral

Some of Pat’s friends and there were many assembled in Pat’s house. There would be more at the church.

The car is here, said Anne.

“Looks like a funeral car,” said Jossie. “Who ordered that?”

Anne said, “Pat’s parents. They have organised the whole thing even though Pat had told everybody what she wanted or rather what she didn’t want. Still, we have to accept that funerals are for the living, not the deceased. At least it will accommodate all of us. Come on.”

When they arrived at the church, the rest of the women’s group were waiting. Pauline handed out the posies of forget-me-nots to all the women.

The hearse arrived with the coffin and Pat’s family walked behind it as it went down the aisle. The women walked behind carrying the posies of flowers.

Chris had this insane thought that they looked like bridesmaids in a wedding procession. Of course, everyone praised Pat. She had been an amazing woman.

But no-one knew how much she had meant to her, Chris. How on earth would she continue to live without her? Chris didn’t speak at the funeral because she didn’t want everyone to know the depth of her feelings. Also, she knew she could not stand in front of the congregation without collapsing into tears.

All the women gathered together outside the church and Anne organised them into cars. They drove in a convoy to the lake. At the lakeside, they stood in a circle and held hands. They all spoke. Pat had been a powerful and beloved member of the group. She would be missed. But Chris said nothing. None of them knew just how close she and Pat had been. The only thought in Chris’s head," Was how was she going to continue without her?Pat had been her mentor, her rock and her guiding spirit."

The women broke the circle and walked close to the water. They threw the flowers on the water and watched them float away and then sink. They held hands again.

Anne began to sing," You can’t kill the spirit, she is like a mountain, old and strong, she goes on and on and on-----“

They all joined in and sang over and over until the light faded.

As they sang, Chris felt the strength and power and love that she had always had from Pat. They dropped hands, turned and walked silently back to the cars. Chris knew that Pat’s spirit would enable her to face the future without her.

Chris closed the front door and leant against it for a few minutes, eyes closed. It had been a long, tiring day. Now that it was over, it was time to look forward. Things would never be the same as before, but maybe that didn’t matter. Fresh starts are golden opportunities.