First of all, I think wind chimes are beautiful. The day of the memorial Mass, I saw the flowers and gifts in the gathering space but didn't have time to process. People were arriving early and we needed to get into place so logistically the traffic would flow though the church. At the funeral dinner the funeral director told me to call when I got home and they would bring everything to the house. The van pulls up and they start bringing in vases of beautful flowers and multiple plants. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and trying to figure out where to put them all and how I would keep the plants alive. My dining table was full! Then they start handing me sets of wind chimes. I'm looking around and I have no idea where to put them. I look at the boys and tell them I already know what their housewarming gift will be when they each buy a house. I was doing a lame Oprah impression "You get windchimes! You get windchimes!" Then the next day the florist delivers a box of... windchimes. The following day a box arrives in the mail. More windchimes. So, it just became a running joke all week whenever a box arrived, "Bet it's wind chimes." I had no idea wind chimes were a popular gift for funerals! But, truly it's great. I have hung some around the yard. I have packed away a set for each of the boys to have when they buy a house. I also have some to share with Branden's parents. Whenever I hear them I am reminded of how many people love us and cared enough to send wind chimes.
