I have been absent from here for awhile, as you have maybe noticed. You also probably know that Roger's dear Dad, Clarence just passed away and we just had the funeral and burial. It was a busy and hectic time, from the time we heard he had fallen and broke his hip until we were saying our last good bye's to the family who had come for the funeral, and now this week, recovering and getting things back to some semblance of normality...Ha (what is that?)
There were a few things that threw us for a loop, like finding out the Ag Center was not available for the service and then being told at the school that we couldn't use the lunch room and kitchen and have a potluck lunch, and dealing with the Great Falls Tribune to get a correct obituary printed. I complained a little well, a lot about the latter, but in looking back, I realize that thing worked out beautifully in the end and we are left with so many things to be thankful for and things that will be sweet to remember. So that, my dear friends and family is what I want to write about here.
1, The wonderful care that Grandpa received in Lewistown from sister Joanne and the staff at his home.
2. Getting to see spend and time with Grandpa the day before he died and feeling the squeeze of his hand and the glimmer of recognition, all while his body was wracked with pain and his chest was heaving with the effort to breath.
3. Seeing how hard it was for Roger to leave that night, knowing it would be his last time with him, but finding it just a little easier because Grandpa was in the capable care of my cousin and nurse, Becky Nachtigal.
4. Knowing that Don and Joanne, Lloyd and Debbie Parsons, and Eldon Coles and Devin Lerwick were there by his side until he faded away the next day and that Grandpa didn't have to suffer longer.
5. Having lots of family close by and everyone willing and able to help make the many decisions and funeral arrangements
6. Finding out the Elementary School Auditorium would be available and would be a lovely place to have the service.
7. That even though the school cook didn't want us in 'her' kitchen and cafeteria, that the Multi Purpose Room and gymnasium were ours to use as needed and worked out well for us.
8. Lois and Marilyn and Ruth were willing and able to overcome all obstacles and put on a great lunch for all who came to the service.
9, For our young couples: Tom and Jo, Brian and Roxie and Jory and Marni Thompson who opened their homes in addition to Dick and Lois, Darrel and Ruth and Roger and I to find room to stay for all the family coming.
10. For Joellyn in organizing the places to stay AND designing and getting printed, the beautiful funeral memorial and the bookmarks AND having a house full of company, all the while getting ready and delaying by a day, their long planned for trip to CA with Tom's parents.
11. When I went to the school to check out the facilities, I was met at the door by the very helpful custodian, who left what he was doing and showed me where the piano was, how to set the lights, and assured me that all the tables, chairs would be available and gym floor covering would be in place (and it was)
12. The music teacher also met Roger, Rob, Grant and I at the auditorium and took time at the end of his school day to show us how to use the sound system and helped to move the piano in place.
13. The funeral director was helpful and agreeable to all that we planned for the service.
14. Walking into the mortuary for the viewing was one of the really 'Awwww, moments' This was what all this busy week was about: There was Grandpa, looking so peaceful in the beautiful casket adorned with wheat (so appropriate) The afternoon light shining through the stained glass was beautiful and their were so many breathtakingly beautiful flower arrangements there and it was nice to have a quiet time there in that setting.
15. Ruth and our local florist did an awesome job putting the casket spray and the arrangement from the Grand Children together. We requested that a lariat and Grandpa's spurs and wheat be incorporated, and it was so tastefully, as you can see in the photo above. Really, all the flowers with the fall colors coordinated so beautifully!
16. Having extended family arrive one after the other and for all the hugs.
17. For our meal prepared by Ruth and hosted by Tom and Jo on Friday night. For all the family there (nearly 50!) including several of our very special ministers
18. Standing in the dining room and hearing the laughs of those watching the old family movies. Seeing all the gals working together getting the bookmarks cut apart and the kitchen cleaned up and helping me serve root beer floats and Kelley's caramel and apple slices.
19. We loved having Aunt Phoebe and Uncle Ken at our house, and having Phoebe's help making black bottom cupcakes, even though I managed to flip over one pan on the oven door and she helped me clean up the mess
20.We also having Larry Harris and two of his sons and their families at our house for the night and breakfast the next morning before the funeral. I loved a little time to visit and your sweet children playing in my home.
21. It was sweet to have Grandsons from each family acting as Pall Bearers, and sweet to have Rob and Bradley capably ushering and getting all the family and friends seated in the appropriate spots.
22, It is always touching to see all the friends, family and neighbors arrive to pay their respects.
23. It was wonderful to have Grandchildren sing, and the smaller group of Tracy, Craig, Stan, Alison, Amy and Grant singing on song at the funeral and the graveside service, with hardly any time to practice.
24. Thank you Joellyn, for playing before, during and after the service....beautiful as always, and Tom and the other spouses for caring for your little ones while your husband or wife was singing.
25. Amazing technology that allowed Dale and Raymond and Kerin to hear and view the service from afar. Thank you Lloyd and Roger for working to get the two computer set up for Skype at the school.
26. Also felt like Dale was there when Elaine read his message that he had written and sent to be shared. Thank you too, Elaine for your part.
27. The blending of thoughts by all who shared their thoughts and words of comfort: Dale, Elaine, Carolyn and Eldon .
28. We awoke to rain the morning of the funeral. I thought " that is Grandpa smiling down on us. Every farmer loves the blessing of rain, especially on freshly seeded winter wheat!"
29. But lo and behold, after the service, we emerged from the school to beautiful sunshine...so perfect for going to the graveside service.
30. And the grave side service...so touching to have the military rites, the taps and the presentation of the flag to family because Grandpa was a veteran. So good to have Donna's thoughts shared their and Devin's prayer and the hymn "When Life is Ended" sung .
31. Lunch at the school, prepared by family and shared by family and friends: cold cuts, cheese, yummy rolls, fruit, Ruth's barbecue lentils and cookies and bars. Perfect
32. I was free to go home and prepare supper while other's packed and cleaned up. This let me get home in time to say good bye to Randy and Ryan's family while they packed up their things to head for home.
33. Amazing to see that my home has rubber walls that stretched to fit about 50 family members in and all the flowers and things they brought from the funeral....and of course I had more than enough food and it was a lovely, relaxing time to visit and open cards.
34. Glad for the help of my sons who helped move furniture and set up for mtg. at our house the next day.
35. Glad for all that were still here as well as our usual group and our workers gathered for a very special and comforting Sunday morning mtg.
36. Special to have all the family stay for dinner afterwards
37. Good to get to the gospel mtg. in the afternoon
38. Thank you to Ruth who brought food to have at Dick and Lois's after mtg.
39. So nice to have a little more time to see Uncle Don Wood and Uncle Don and Aunt Ellen Bond there.
40. Thankful for Monday to empty my extra refrigerator and freeze extra food, to get bedding washed and beds made up and to get the obituary snafu taken care of. Thankful for this low key week to think of all that happened the previous week when we were too busy to even stop and think. So good to reflect on it all and have a feeling of thankfulness after all is said and done!
Linda
