In looking for an image to match the title of this post I came across this cartoon about Humpty Dumpty. It really has nothing to do with living in a funeral home, but I thought it was funny. Living in a funeral home is kind of an oxymoron, but there are many families that do so. In fact, many are dying to get in there. But seriously folks, even though this has been a rough year for me so far, I like to think that I’ve maintained my sense of humor. The continuity of this story is going to be interrupted by a virtual doctor’s visit, so if I go in one than more direction, please understand.

As most of you know, my husband passed away on January 1, 2025. He was ill for a long time, but enjoyed a wonderful life, a great family and friends beyond measure. So, I’ve been keeping a virtual record of some of his paintings along with poetry I’ve written. The time of mourning has been filled with activities to keep my mind alert and functioning. For the past month or so, I’ve been pretty inactive, thus I’ve had more time to think and remember. There are so many funny stories pertaining to the life of Paul Boecher. The one that stands out was his ability to laugh and make other people laugh. He was born into a fairly well to do family. His dad was a funeral director and the family lived in the upstairs living quarters. Thus that combination made way for hilarious stories that live on and probably will for a long time.

When we were first dating, I would have the pleasure of viewing one of their latest customers, to see what a good job his dad did in his work. This didn’t impress me in the least, but we managed to spend a lifetime together in spite of it. He would talk about how he and his sister would play hide and seek in the mortuary when it wasn’t being used for a funeral. There were countless places to hide. Empty caskets, the embalming room, the organ room. Yes, there was an organ room, but it wasn’t filled with human organs, just the one that was played during a funeral. The basement of this humongous house was used to store folding chairs which would be handed up through a trap door leading to one of the areas used for seating. It also was a playground for Paul and his sister, Jeanne.

Many parties were held in that spacious area during our high school years. When it wasn’t being used for that purpose, a biology lab was established in the laundry room. Mice and snakes were stored in the window well. Paul was required to feed these critters and not to forget to close the window after doing so. One day, while a funeral was in progress, he forgot. Snakes slithered into the “smoking room” where a group of women were chatting. That ended the biology lab. It went on to become a science lab, where the use of certain chemicals could have easily blown up the entire business.

It’s a good thing Paul didn’t go into the funeral business. No one would’ve taken him seriously. His parents saw his talents led to a different area of study, which took him to the University of Illinois and the Chicago Art Institute. There a whole new adventure transpired.

BTW I had my virtual appointment. I have bronchitis and need antibiotics and prednisone. I was on the same regimen almost six months ago. Should be better soon.