Have a good night's sleep! / 睡吧！

一月二十四日天氣晴，今天是阿嬤的派對，我們一早就起來準備，因為閃亮的陽光，連位在山丘上的南榮公墓都充滿生氣。

August, 24, sunny. Today is Granny's big party. Everyone of us gets up before daybreak to prepare. The golden sunlight even makes the solemn Nan-rong Funeral Parlor in Keelung appear lively.

        我們訂了最大的會場，大廳前台佈滿了紫色和白色的小菊花，還有粉紅色的玫瑰花和百合，氣氛很溫馨，禮儀師也很專業，我知道這會是一場很美麗的喪禮。可是從走進去就一直掉眼淚，看著小靖製作的照片回顧集，大家都情不自禁地哭了，見到裝扮好的阿嬤又哭了，家祭時聽到小阿姨和太哥訴說著我不認識的阿嬤，一邊跪在地上，眼淚就像珍珠串直滴落在地上，禮儀師就忙著遞衛生紙，喪禮對活著的人來說還真是很有療癒性的團體治療。好多人來看阿嬤，我感謝每一個抽空來送阿嬤的客人，有一群警察還立正致意目送著阿嬤的棺木上山。最後我們在火化之前去看阿嬤最後一眼，我們每個人上前和阿嬤說心裡的話，我說：「你是全世界最棒的阿嬤了，不只是一輩子對每個人慈愛寬容，而且從生病到死亡，一派地溫柔敦厚，再也沒有人能這麼優雅地走完一生。」阿嬤帶著最愛的四色牌和滿滿的玫瑰花上天堂了。

     We have booked the largest hall, with the front decorated with white and light purple chrysanthemums, pink roses and lilies. There is a very warm touch to the funeral. Also, the funeral directors are professional and caring. I have a feeling that this is going to be a very beautiful funeral. Still, tears roll down my face the moment I walk in. The photo collection prepared by Kay is a very moving tear-jerker. We go on shedding tears when seeing the dressed-up granny lying in the coffin. Upon hearing the speeches given by my youngest auntie and my cousin Tiger, tears pour like endless strings of pearls hitting the floor as we kneel in the ritual. The funeral directors are busy passing tissues all the time. I have to say that the funeral is very healing for the living. Granny has many visitors, to everyone of whom I show my deepest gratitude for sparing a morning to say farewell to her. In fact, a group of policemen even salute to Granny as her coffin is being driven to the crematorium, which is a rather magnificent sight.

     We take our last look at Granny before she is to be cremated. Each of us steps forward with a pinkish orange rose to tell her what we feel. I say, "You are definitely the BEST granny in the world not only because you are always kind and forgiving but also because you are so elegant even when ill and dying. I don't think anyone can ever do it better than you." My granny travels to heaven with her favorite card game and roses from us.

        中午全家聚餐時，大家繼續說著和阿嬤曾共度的時刻，小靖說常常睡不著，我想到之前我們在醫院陪阿嬤睡覺，現在她一定坐在月亮上哄我們入睡，以阿嬤的個性，她一定不希望自己的告別影響到我們的生活。

     When having lunch, we go on to share with one another the moments each of us once spent with Granny. Kay has had problems sleeping, which reminds me of our putting Granny to sleep in the hospital four months ago. Now she must be sitting high up there on the moon trying to put us to sleep. As we all know, she is the last person that wants to influence and change our lives because of her departure.

        可是怎麼辦呢？像媽媽說的，阿嬤太棒了，因為她的離開，我的心空了一塊。還好，謝謝我的家人，一路讓我覺得有強壯的肩膀可以靠著，可以一起哭笑地討論我世界上最棒的阿嬤，往後我們也繼續地用這樣的方式記住可愛的阿嬤吧！

     But what can we do? Like what Mom said, Granny is so wonderful. I feel a part of my heart missing because of her. Luckily, I still have my beloved family to lean on all the way. The most comforting moments after Granny is gone are those when we talk about her. Let's keep on doing that in the coming days to remember my adorable grandma!