So, life.

A 50th birthday and my Grandad's funeral in one weekend;  leaving me reeling with mixed emotions. Flying high in the whoosh of a ceilidh, hysterically laughing, blinking away tears during honest, heart wrenching speeches. Feeling full of love for my lovely auntie.

My auntie; the Birthday girl. Rocking 50. 

Me, ceilidhing, unimpressed, apparently!

Then the funeral. Hearing the stories of my Pompa's life; his determination to woo my nanna, and build his business from scratch, in having five children when they really couldn't afford it (!) How he wove music into the very fabric of my family. Old ladies with purple hair, long hugs, old wrinkly hands squeezing mine. Hearing his best friend's respect for him and his heart- breaking grief. Story after story, open mic style, of his life from so many people that loved him.

Leaving me feeling sad and happy and incredibly grateful all at once.

A couple of my Grandad's favourite pieces of  music, played at his funeral. Pretty beautiful.

Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Giuseppe Verdi's "Nabucco."

Sung by the Westminster Choir directed by John Finlay with the NBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arturo Toscanini. Recorded for January 31, 1943 NBC Radio broadcast.

1950 recording of The Pearl Fishers Duet sung by Jussi Björling and Robert Merrill. Conducted by Renato Cellini leading the RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra.