I have seriously neglected to update my diary. I do have one excuse: My great-grandmother died, and I've been away at her funeral for a time.

It was a very nice funeral. Everyone at work gave me their condolences when they found out, but for the most part, it was a happy occassion. My great-grandmother was ninety-nine. She led a full and active life. At the end, she looked beyond the people in the room and said, "Papa!" Her death just means moving on to the next stage, where she will be very much alive and surrounded by departed family members.

I learned some things about my great-grandmother. She was proud of her age. She once told someone, "Did you know, I'm older than the Titanic?" She knew the value of lipstick. (So this is where I get that from) My great-grandma was so worried that she would die without lipstick on that she applied it at night, right before she went to bed, in case she died in her sleep.

I cried a little at the funeral. I kept looking at the sons and daughters of this wonderful woman, and thinking how hard it would be if it were my own mother who we were mourning. I guess it doesn't matter if your mother is ninety-nine when she dies, you're still not ready to say goodbye to your mom.

This funeral was very interesting. I've got some interesting relatives, and this gathering was pretty much the oddest assembly of people ever. It was hands down the biggest group of mullets I've ever seen in one place at the same time. I was kicking myself for not bringing a camera. Don't know what a mullet is? Go here and it'll set you straight. Elvis also made an appearance at the funeral. I had no idea that Elvis lived across the street from my grandparents and is related to me, but there he was, out of hiding and everything.

Other than the funeral, my life is pretty much the same as ever. I keep trying to find a grand destiny for my life, but I still haven't found what I'm looking for, to quote my idol. I've been working on the 5K training. In fact, for the first time ever (I think), I jogged a mile and didn't walk once. It felt so good, and I was so proud of myself. I guess it's the little things in life that make it most worthwhile, eh?

Song playing on my life soundtrack: If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out, Cat Stevens

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