A lady I knew died last night.
She was an old-school Great Lady--with a capital "L". Knew how many pieces of silver were to be laid out, exactly where they belonged on the table, and what course went with what silver. Knew when the red wine was served, in which goblets, at what temperature. Quoted Milton, Shakespeare, and Twain, not to show that she could, but to remind you that there was nothing new under the sun.
But she was not a priss. When the historical society re-enacted the old days of Milwaukee, she played the madam for the house on the west side of the river at Juneau Ave., and did so with just the right smile. She could rollick with the young ladies she knew, but never, ever lose control.
She was fearsome in her 5,000 lb. Olds sedan, which occasionally escaped her control. St Peter knows that, of course, and will prudently step out of her way.
Requiescat in pace, Rosemary.
Very sweet eulogy.
ReplyDelete...and a smile that just made your day better...
ReplyDeleteRoseMary's favourite song, the one she always hoped could and would be sung and/or played at her funeral but, alas, cannot because of the confliction of seculoar within The Requiem Mass, was, "In The Garden", penned by C. (Charles) Austin Miles.
In memoriam, I present four wonderful versions here:
In The Garden - Jim Reeves
In The Garden - Alan Jackson
In The Garden - Loretta Lynn
In The Garden - Elvis Presley
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.
Et lux perpetua luceat eis.
...I'll see ya, RoseMary.