Yesterday left me completely drained. I can honestly say that this week has been one of the toughest ones I can think of at the moment. Getting home at 10:30 PM on Monday, 9:00 PM on Tuesday (after a wake) and 10:30 PM last night (after the regular 5:45 AM waking time) has been very draining. I kind of forget about it when I'm in the thick of it, but thinking back on the week this morning during my drive into work I remember:

-I had a midterm test on Monday
-And a huge paper due last night (the Methods section of my thesis)
-We are getting ready to put our house on the market (its supposed to be on today, though I haven't found it on any websites yet).
-We're frustrated at the lack of those houses we can afford in Waltham (and bummed that our offer on one we loved was rejected on Tuesday)
-Went to a wake Tuesday and funeral Wednesday for someone who has had a very huge part in my life.
-And it rained, and rained, and rained yesterday.
-And its still raining.

All I can say about yesterday's service is that there were a lot of people there - my Dad guessed there were 300 at the cemetary (and there were even more at the church - the whole center section of an old gothic cathedral was filled front to back). Her family members wore pink: the little girls all had pink dresses, the adults wore dark-colored suits with pink shirts (even the men). Her oldest son Jack did a Eulogy before the service that made us laugh, cry, and nod our heads. He joked about how Miss Peggy was always late for things (among other jokes) and that they had even wondered if she'd be late for her own funeral (she was, btw). She was buried with a pair of tap shoes and a white cross surrounded by bundles of flowers - mostly pink roses. Her gravesite is up on a little hill in Mt. Feake Cemetary with the Charles River viewable on two sides of it. I didn't even get to see what the stone looks like due to the massive crowd around it and under the tent that the funeral home erected to try and keep people dry in the often-horizontal rain. I'd like to go back on a clear day so that I can check it out.

Adversity always makes one appreciate what they have in life and this is no exception. I am so glad that I have a family that though awkward sometimes, really cares about each other. I'm also really lucky to have an awesome friend who not only gave me a very nice card, a casserole with baked mac and cheese *and* flowers, but she left work to take me out to lunch yesterday. I'm also very lucky to have a Brian, Max, Batty and Praline at home for comfort and support.

OK world, so now I'm ready for you to let some of the suck go away and bring in some peace, happiness and above all - sleep!

From the News Tribune:

Margaret Catherine (McGlone) "Peggy McGlone" Loynd, 77

WALTHAM -- Margaret Catherine (McGlone) "Peggy McGlone" Loynd, 77, died Saturday, March 27, 2004, surrounded by her family at her home after a long illness.

She was the wife of John Thomas Loynd Sr. for 56 years.

Born in Barre, Vt., she was a Waltham resident the past 70 years. She was the daughter of the late Walter "Buddy" and Alice (Foley) McGlone.

Her love of entertainment and dancing began as a young girl with her father and brother being accomplished singers and entertainers and her mother fabricating all their entertainment costumes.

Mrs. Loynd, an accomplished choreographer, dancer and entertainer known professionally as Peggy McGlone, was an icon for the city of Waltham, being the founder -- at age 16 -- owner and operator of the Peggy McGlone Dance Studio, now located on Main Street in Central Square in Waltham. Her love of children and dance and instruction was so great that even while battling her illness this past fall, she choreographed her last recital and did a number on stage.

As her career began at such an early age, so did her love and respect for her country and humanity. She was a regular USO entertainer along with her father and brother and was the recipient of a USO award in 1947. She appeared on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour, and studied and performed with the infamous Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.

Continuing her love of entertainment and contributing her talents, she was well known and often donated her talents to community fund-raisers for local churches, synagogues and various community service agencies, including the minstrel shows at Sacred Heart Church, St. Joseph's Church, St. Pierre's School, and hospitals and nursing homes during the holidays.

She received many awards and recognitions, including National Catholic Community Service award, and a Distinguished Service Award for Volunteering from the Eastern Middlesex Association for Retarded Citizens. Recently she was presented a commendation for 60 years of community service from Waltham Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy. Many of her students went on to perform in Broadway productions including "No No Nannette," "Gypsy" and the original cast of "Annie."

Besides her husband, she leaves her children, Mary Margaret Toole and her husband, Dewayne, of Memphis, Tenn., John Thomas Loynd Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth (Centola) of Conway, N.H., Peggyann Loynd-Mahnken and her husband, Dana, of Acton, Joseph Paul Loynd Sr. and his wife, Lisa (LeDuke) of Maynard, Alicia Marie Edwards and her husband, Robert, of Tennessee, James Anthony Loynd and his wife, Kelly (Graves) of Irving; 19 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A service will be Wednesday, March 31, at 9:30 a.m., from the Brasco and Sons Memorial, 773 Moody St., Waltham, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m., at St. Mary's Church, 145 School St., Waltham.

Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Visiting hours are Tuesday, March 30, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., at the funeral home.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905.

Parking attendants will be on duty.