New experience for Qing .

As the Title suggests , Qing now twice has experienced something new .. hence living with me in California .

What I'm talking about is , our way of saying goodbye to a loved one that passed away . As I been told from my LaoPo , in China it's pretty much all Cremation as the last step for a deceased Person . Most of us know by now , this is a much cheaper way also and it's really getting more and more popular in the States too .

Anyway , what I want to say .. is how Qing is feeling about " OUR " ways and especially the Catholic way . Back a few months ago , my late wife's Uncle passed away and she attended her first ever western Funeral Service . Questioning her of what she think about it , she says .. first the Mass was kind of long ( 55 minutes ) . That is understandable of course , being her first and unfamiliar with the whole Catholic thing . Second , all of the People driving down City streets to the Cemetery for a further Service and Interment . That also took about an Hour . By now I could see , the .. when is that over ? But like a good Soldier , she made it through and had her first taste of a western way of an Funeral .

Now , just last weekend .. it was part two . My late wife's Mother passed away and that meant , of to another Funeral with Mass and a little Service this time . No gathering at the Interment site this time . But at the Mass , I like to point out one thing though . At the / or near the end of the Service , it was time for the Catholic People to take the Communion wafer and the sip of wine . Now it was a good thing , those that are/were of different Religion would go up front with the rest .. but crossed their arms on their Chest . This was to tell the Priest of not being Catholic , so he proceeded to only give each one those People a Blessing . I found that quite a nice thing to do , instead of letting them just sit there and feel like you're being pointed out of that fact ( not being Catholic ) for everyone to see . I also did not take part of the Communion , as I'm Catholic .. but I have not been to Confession in many years . Otherwise , my LaoPo's only other ( not liking ) was most likely .. that I was a Pallbearer and not always sitting with her . What followed after all that was a little Luncheon at my In-laws house and that was about four more hours of much talking with People , that I knew .. but my Sweetheart did not . I did make sure she was not just standing or sitting by herself of course . After an eight hour ordeal , it's was time to hit the Road and start getting back home .. as I could see by now .. Qing was tired and had pretty much all that she could handle in a single day . She really is a Trooper in my Eyes and I truly hope that it will be a while before the next such Service is needed .

Bring on a Wedding , they are much more welcomed .. anytime .