Grondin Funeral Home

It may seem odd to review a funeral home on today of all days, but as today is a day of remembrance, I feel it is fitting.
In August 2007, I went to Boston, as I do every year (or every other year) to visit the maternal familial contingent, which is quite small– grandparents, aunt, uncle and 2 cousins. I spent a week there, but really didn’t hang out much with my family because I brought the BF (now ex) to show him all my old haunts. We did have a nice time with my family, and I assumed I’d see them again this summer. My grandfather was complaining about back pain (or rather, my grandma was saying what was wrong with him– that’s her thing), but as he lived a full life as a truck driver, I just thought it was old age and a compressed disc.
Then I got the call in December from my mom– my grandpa had pancreatic cancer. I got in a minor fender bender that day because it rocked my world. This was the man who I wanted to walk me down the aisle, who I had just taken to see his beloved Red Sox at Fenway Park 2 years prior, the man who had such a sly wit, you never knew if he was kidding. I am very thankful that I got to live in the area for 3 years, to get to know him better, because he was such a wonderful man.
The decision was made that my mom and I would fly out there to spend the holidays with him, as it would be his last. Before I left, a colleague of mine (who is an excellent MSW) asked if I considered that my grandpa may pass away while I’m there. Actually, I hadn’t thought of that. I thought I would go back, see my grandpa, and then go back towards the end. Sadly, I was wrong, my grandpa passed away on December 29, 2007. Those 2 weeks that I got to spend with him were wonderful. I bought him a Christmas tree, and he thought it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He also called me Mabel, which is odd, because he never knew a Mabel.
Due to the New Years holiday, his funeral service was the following Wednesday.
Now, I don’t have much experience with funerals, as I’ve only seen one person I care about pass away, but the gentlemen at Grondin Funeral Home made the experience as wonderful as could be. The property is tastefully decorated, the viewing room is a perfect size, and the remembrance cards were beautiful.
They took care of me and my family the whole way, and gave me plenty of tissues when I was bawling my eyes out. Although it was somewhat morbid, I commented to my mom that I wanted these guys to take care of me when I go, because they are THAT good. Even my grandma liked them, and she doesn’t like anybody.
Miss you, grandpa.