Finality

Last Tuesday and Wednesday, I said my final goodbyes to my grandfather.  It was strange going home and not seeing him there or hearing him greet me as I walked in the front door.  Additionally, the two days of his viewing and funeral were truly a whirlwind of activity as I took my nephew with me for both days.

The finality of it all truly set in when a friend of the family was playing “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes as my grandfather’s casket was taken from the church.  I was reminded how just five years ago–separated by a week, actually–the same piper and song was played as my grandmother’s casket was taken from the church.  It was then that I realized he was gone.

For the rest of the holiday weekend, my family and I celebrated the holidays and my grandfather’s memory.  We all shared stories and memories, reveling in the time we had with him.  In our own individual way, we were making peace with our loss.  And that includes me.

To my friends who reached out to me personally with phone calls, emails, and cards, I thank you.  I can truly say that if I am rich in anything, it is good friends.

With that, I end this entry with the official obituary that made the rounds in the local media.

OCEAN PINES — William Joseph Thomas, 79, died Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Born in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Stanley Thomas and Rose Marie “Anna” Matesich Thomas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Anne O’Brien Thomas.

Mr. Thomas was a US Navy veteran, retiring after 24 years of service having achieved the rank of QMC. He served in both Korea and Vietnam. After retiring from the Navy, he went on to open Thomas Construction, which he owned and operated for 25 years.

He was a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church, a former Grand Knight and District Deputy Navigator with Knights of Columbus, and a member of Boggs-Disharoon American Legion 153.

He is survived by two sons, Timothy Charles Thomas of Ocean Pines and Patrick Joseph Thomas of Ocean City; one brother, Jack C. Thomas and his wife, Dorie, of Arizona; two sisters, Rose Marie Thomas of Pittsburgh and Millie Mehilick of Nevada; three grandchildren, Jason, Nicole and Patrick Jr.; four great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Jerry O’Brien and his wife, Janet; several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial was Wednesday at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Ocean Pines. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11211 Beauchamp Road, Ocean Pines, Md. 21811 or to the American Cancer Society, c/o Gerri Harrison, 337 Winter Quarters Drive, Pocomoke City, Md. 21851.

Arrangements are by Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.