Your thoughs and prayers please. I'm in the middle of the suckiest week of my life.

[Clockwork John]

Hi all, sorry I haven't been around in a while. I've been ridiculously busy.

I need your kind thoughts and prayers. This past weekend I had to rush to Arizona to visit my grandmother, who is in the hospital with pneumonia and a bad heart, and will not be with us much longer.

I got back and my week got worse... much worse.

As some of you may know, my mother has been battling alcoholism for a long time, and has not responded to rehab, interventions, hospital visits, losing her job, losing her car... Her health has been getting progressively worse over the last few months, too.

My brother and I were going to go over to see her on Wednesday to see her and try to help her one more time, to at least make sure her health problems were being dealt with, if nothing else.

Wednesday afternoon, about an hour before we were supposed to meet at her house, I got a phone call... A call I've been afraid was coming for a long time.

My mom lost the battle. She died some time Wednesday morning. My brother's friend, who was renting a room from her, found her when he got up that morning.

I'm glad she's finally at peace. I'm glad she's not suffering any more. This still sucks. This still hurts like hell.

Please keep her, me, and my family in your thoughts and prayers.

May her memory be eternal.

[Clockwork John]

I have a question for the musicians, clergy, and historians here...

We're planning my mom's funeral, and we were discussing music... My mom loved traditional and modern celtic music, and got me hooked on the same. What would be some appropriate/traditional tunes for such an occasion? Also, we're considering hiring a piper for the graveside service. What should be played then, and what is the traditional role of a piper at such a service?

[Bugbear]

Will do, John. Hang in there.

[David Dalglish]

Sorry to here of your Mum. Its painful I know, but hang in there.

[JolyStNicholas]

My mum passed 4 years ago, time doesn't heal all things. I still miss her!

Sorry for your loss!

[KFCarter]

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss and will say a prayer for you and yours.

[Fougasse]

A friend piped at the funeral of my wife. He was playing in a corner of the churchyard, not too obtrusive, as friends and family arrived for the service. He played again as the coffin was carried out of the church. I don't recall much of what he played with the exception of Amazing Grace, which breaks my heart every time I hear it 7 years on.

My thoughts and prayers are with you,

Frank

[Kerr the Walker]

May their memory be eternal and may He hold you in His hand during your time of grief.

[herminator]

[Sheep In Wolf's Clothing]

I am very sorry to hear of your loss and very trying week.
My thoughts are with you and your family,
Sara