Albert L Burdge

27th-Jul-2009 07:16 pm

Albie was getting ready on Thursday morning around 7:30 when he got a phone call. His mom was on the other end crying. That was enough of a sign that his father had passed. I jumped in the shower and we rushed to her house. I had to be strong for Albie, but it was hard not to cry when his mom hugged me hysterical. Albie had cried at the initial phone call, but was numb and in shock all day. We went to the funeral parlor to drop off the clothes, pick out the casket and finish the final arrangements, and decided on 10am Monday for the service. Albie and I had planned to get him a refrigerator that day anyway, so we went to Lowe’s that night and picked out the refrigerator. The day was really a blur to me. We were all in shock.

Friday morning, John and I opened, so I gave him a ride to work. He was bitter about Albie’s dad, which frustrated me a lot, being protective of Albie and all. I had hoped that John told them Thursday that I needed off Sunday (Memorial get-together) and Monday (service), but when I got to work they still hadn’t changed my schedule. (I hostess on Sundays and bake on Mondays) The baker had agreed to cover my Monday but when the other hostess came in, she didn’t want to work for me. I screamed across the cooler at her and she said “don’t throw it (albie’s dad’s death) in my face!” …wtf. bitch. So, I was pissed. She came back and said she’d work for me only if I picked up her Saturday, which I needed off in order to get stuff done for Sunday. So I lost it. I started bawling. I was so mad that no matter how much I do for that girl, or the company, I always get shit on. So everyone in the kitchen started sticking up for me and I got my way. So I had off Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Saturday, Albie and I went to Target to get nice clothes for Sun & Mon. He found a gorgeous all black suit. I found a nice dress and new shoes, which he paid for, because he is amazing. We also took his aunt thrift store shopping, since she loves thrift stores and doesn’t live down here. I picked up a pretty cool cookbook and Albie found a shirt. Albie’s brothers (his mom’s kids) arrived late Saturday night and stayed at his mom’s house. His other brothers (dad’s kids) never showed. Which was a shame, but…their loss.

On Sunday, we found more pictures of his dad to put out for the Memorial Service later that day. We got to his mom’s around 2:30ish. and started setting up. The “party”..celebration was really nice. A lot of mom’s friends from Walmart were there (she works there, he was there every day to see her and shop) and people from Perkins showed up, along with neighbors and other friends. But it turned out really well. It was nice to see her smiling and laughing again. We stayed pretty late and helped clean up, but we ate so much food we had belly-aches and had to come home.

This morning (Monday), was the burial in Sarasota. It was scheduled for 10:30, so we were picked up by the limo at 7:30 and left the funeral parlor at around 8:30. Albie had arranged that his mom wouldn’t see his dad, there was no viewing, and Ralph (his brother) was supposed to look just to see if he looked okay. Well, everyone filed in to go to the bathroom and apparently he was just kinda laying out there. So, she kissed him goodbye, which is good, in a way, and also not. “He was cold” she said. That was hard. But she said she is glad she did it. A lot of things didn’t go the way Albie envisioned it, but in the end it turned out okay. The limo was gorgeous; 26 passenger stretch Escalade, which thankfully provided more than enough room for the 15 of us. (but we are not skinny people. lol) The ride up wasn’t too bad, and surprisingly the kids weren’t that bad either. Once we got to the (brand new!) National Cemetery of Sarasota, paperwork had to be filled out. Then came time for the service. It took place at a little pavilion, not at the grave site, which was very nice, and out of the FL sun. The boys (Ralph and Joe, Albie’s brothers, Rick, cousin-in-law, and Albie) carried him out of the hearse, which was heartbreaking to watch. We all filed into the pavilion and took our seats. I sat in the front row next to Albie, his mom and his sister-in-law, Judy. Joe got up and made a speech, with a little religious stuff at the end. Then Judy sang a hymn. Afterwards, they played Taps, saluted and folded the flag to present to her.

It was very nice. They finished the paperwork (headstone, etc) and we left. We watched them lower him into the ground from the distance. It was surreal.

Off to Joann Fabrics now. Must go, might finish later.

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