So this weekend was interesting. Saturday was my grandfathers funeral. But let's not start there, let's start from where everything went to heck. Let us start from the first day of the year.

On January 1, 2008 at 12:25 am, my grandfathers appartment caught fire. We got the call about six hours later telling us that. He had been rushed to the burn center in San Francisco, a full hour away from where I live. He was on life support for over a week before he finally passed away. The doctor did not let my family see him at all while he was in the burn center for reasons that I have yet to understand.

The entire process to obtain the body was a long and painful process. First we got news that my grandfather did not have life insurence, so everything that needed to be paid for came out of my family's pockets. In addition to what one would consider to be "normal" charges for death, we got slapped with a $700 charge for an autopsy. I mean what the heck!!!? We already knew how he died. He died from his burns, breathing in a ton of smoke, and fire in his lungs. Why preform an autopsy!!!? Their reasoning was because it was an accident. So here we are an additional $700 poorer because of the stupid state of California. But I digress.

Nearly a month later (this past Saturday), we were finally able to have the funeral service. There was just one thing that was strange to me. The service was a Buddhist service. My grandfathers third wife is from Thailand and it was up to her how the funeral was going to be. So my family (my mom and dad, other grandparents, two close family friends, younger brother, and myself) and my extended family (25 Thai family members) all went to the Buddhist temple an hour away in the mountains to attend the service.

The temple itself was beautiful. As we drove over a ridge, it came into view. It felt like we were actually in Thailand. I found out later that my grandfather helped to pay for and build it. It was a sight to behold. I would have taken a picture if A) I had my camera and B) I was allowed to take pictures. Inside was also beautiful. A giant statue of Buddah in gold (fake gold i assume, but amazing nontheless) and hand painted walls were a sight to behold. Onto the actual service.

We had to remove our shoes before we entered the actual temple. Now I was not expecting to do that and in my stupidity, I wore two different socks. I was completly embarassed. We all sat down on the floor around a little shrine for my grandfather that had candles and a picture of him. All 9 of the monks entered the temple and sat down on a raised area at the front of the temple. The head monk started to speak in Thai as a welcome kind of thing I guess (I don't know. I don't speak Thai.). Then he started to speak in english so that my family could understand what was going on. My step-grandmother took a candle at the monks instruction and lighted the candle and some insence. Then I went to light an insence and set it in a bowl of rice to honor my grandfather. The monks then chanted for a half hour straight. It was a beautiful chant all in Thai. They did not move, or stop chanting the entire time. It was a sight to behold. Then my family gave each of the nine monks a robe with an offering. I do not understnad what it is supposed to symbolize, but it was kind of cool. The service ended, and I got to speak with the head monk (thats not his official title, but its what I call him). He was a very nice guy.

That all said, it is some closure on a very painful chapter of my life. Complete closure will come after the 100 days that my grandfathers ashes have to stay at the temple and we can take him up north and sprinkle his ashes into the ocean. I might have pictures of that event if I can bring myself to take them.

To all who read this entire blog, thank you. I really appreciate it. Knowing that some people care enough helps so much.

Thank you.

-JD