New York State Funeral Directors Association
It’s 5 a.m., the phone rings.
“Hello?”
A robotic voice answers, “This is an alert. St. Mary’s School in Wappingers Falls is closed today due to inclement weather.”
The children appear.
Anita Freer had career goals decades ago, but she put those aside to focus on raising her family.
And, just like the late First Lady, Barbara Bush, Freer carried with her the grief of losing a young child.
Though she’d put her personal goals aside, Freer raised children and grandchildren and had no regrets by the age of 72.
When Barbara Bush passed away, she lost a role model.
The church in the rural, thinly-populated area filled up quickly before the funeral.
There was only room to stand when ceremonies began for a man who was clearly beloved by many.
Halfway through the service, I realized why so many people were there.
SympathyNotes is written to stimulate discussion of death and grief. Opinions do not reflect the views of NYSFDA.
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