Texas Pictures: February

Everything in Texas is bigger . . . including the mole hills. J In our front yard we have on display a visual reminder of the idiom “making a mountain out of a mole hill.” The one at the bottom left is at least a foot long in length. I have no idea what made the hole—a Texas-sized mole, an armadillo, a snake, ants, or some other small creature—but whatever it is makes a BIG mess!

*Any idea what makes these? Your guess is as good as ours!*

More Catching Up

We’ve been doing a lot of posts on Grandma’s death, but a lot of catching up has been going on for us behind the scenes. Here’s some of what’s been going on lately:

~Fat Tuesday~

We celebrated Fat Tuesday (otherwise known as Mardi Gras) a week late. We enjoyed our traditional Puffy Pancakes with chocolate chips.

~Ash Wednesday~

We also celebrated Ash Wednesday a week late, since Grandma’s funeral and burial were on the real Ash Wednesday. We all gave up something tangible (i.e. a type of food, a certain habit) for Lent, and also committed to eliminating a bad character trait or habit (i.e. worrying about things we can’t control, impatience, etc.)

~Valentine’s Day~

Are you starting to get the idea at this point? J We also celebrated Valentine’s Day a week late. Mommy took all of us kids out to the soda fountain for floats, shakes, and malts all around. It was a nice treat, and we enjoyed visiting with the owner (who’s in his 70’s) while he fixed us our treats. Gotta love small towns! J

Photo Credit: Roma.

Right next to the soda fountain is an antiques and gun store. Several of us hadn’t been in it before, so we decided to stop in there. It’s a neat little place, but I admit that I was a little overwhelmed by all the different types of guns. I’m learning slowly about them, and one day I’d love to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Sounds real girly I know, but I need to be a true Texan! J

Photo Credit: Roma.

~Life Group~

The twins and I continue to babysit for our life group on Monday nights. So far we’ve averaged 6 kids each night. This past week we had two 5-year olds, two 3-year olds, and two 2-year olds. I’ve now decided that I will NEVER have 3 sets of twins in a row! (not that I’d have much control over that. J) Twins may run in our family, but I am praying that I will have twin girls, boy-girl twins, but not 2 boys. I think I might lose my sanity if that happens. J

Little T is one of the cutest kids EVER. J But I’m not a biased babysitter or anything. . . J

T and his best friend, SJ.

On top of all these special occasions, we have been catching up on school work and continuing to unpack our house (now we’re not only unpacking our stuff, but also the stuff we brought from Grandma and Grandpa’s house.) Hopefully things will settle down a bit and we can get back into some kind of routine!

Grandma: Epilogue

The pain and emotions following Grandma’s death have been felt even more acutely than after losing Grandpa. While I was incredibly close to my Grandma, I think it’s also the cumulative effect of moving across the country, losing Grandpa, losing Grandma, and having other struggles, all in less than 3 months’ time. The saying “When it rains, it pours” feels very true for our family right now. While it’s easy to think, “What more could go wrong?” we are comforted to know that God calls us to “cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Pet 5:7) Whatever we’re going through, God can handle!

Since we’ve returned home, there have been a lot of emotions to process. We are slowly unpacking the mementos we brought home. One of the sad parts is not having Grandpa and Grandma around to explain things anymore. We never realized how often we hadn’t asked them the significance behind an object, who was in a picture, and things like that. There are so many unanswered questions, and it’s difficult not to know the answers.

For me personally, I’ll have a very good day followed by a bad day. There have been many times when I’ve slipped outside to take the dog on a walk and spent the whole time crying (makes me thankful for country life where I will only be passed by 1 or 2 cars in half an hour.) There have been nights when I’ve cried myself to sleep because I wish so desperately that they were here. While we know our separation from them is temporary, it still seems like ages until we’ll be together again. Our life here on earth has been permanently changed by their absence.

Friday night, I dreamed about them. I dreamed that we were all gathered at their house, just like we were after their deaths. But they were there. It was almost like they had come back to say goodbye before going on a long trip. Both my Grandma and Grandpa were at home (Grandma hadn’t been home since April last year) and happy to be surrounded by family. I gave them both long, lasting hugs and then they were gone. While the dream has haunted me a bit since I never had that chance to say a final goodbye to them, in a way it brings some closure. It was only a dream…but it feels a little bit like I was able to say goodbye to them.

I read a phrase in “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp that is so true: “I know the theological answers, but do my blood and my pulse?” There will be grieving, and questions without answers. But we trust every day that God is with us, and we CHOOSE to find our joy in Him alone. The road following Grandpa and Grandma’s deaths is long and hard, but we are all so grateful that we have a Savior who walks right beside us through it all. He has never left us, nor will He ever forsake us.

Grandma: Part 5

~Saturday, February 16~

We left my Grandparents’ house in Ohio early Saturday morning. We stopped at a McDonald’s for breakfast a little while later. We were going to eat lunch at Steak n’ Shake, but it was so full we couldn’t even get through the door. Considering the fact that it was windy and cold, we quickly decided that we’d eat somewhere else. We ended up driving to a Wendy’s a few miles down the road.

This was the first time we had driven through St. Louis in the daytime, and I was actually awake. It’s a little hard for me to believe that people can actually go up inside the arch. One of these days maybe I’ll get to do that.

Photo Credit: Roma.

We arrived at the hotel around dinner time, and after we unloaded we headed to Cracker Barrel for dinner. The restaurant was really full, so we waited inside the store for about ½ an hour before we were seated. As I walked around the store, I found my eyes filling with tears. I just wanted to be home, away from all the pain, stress, and difficult emotions that we had faced over the past few days. I was physically exhausted and emotionally drained. In the middle of a crowded restaurant was the last place I wanted to be. On top of that, Grandma and Grandpa often stopped at Cracker Barrel when they came to visit us in Michigan.

I made it through dinner without breaking down, but I so desperately wanted to be home.

~Sunday, February 17~

After eating breakfast at the hotel, we continued our journey homeward. I was looking forward to finally being in my own bed that evening.

We stopped in Joplin, MO for lunch at a Fazoli’s. It was a nice treat as we haven’t eaten there in years. Unlike the Cracker Barrel, the restaurant was very quiet which was nice.

Dad had seen a sign for a Justin Boots outlet store. He asked if we could make a “quick” stop to look. Forty-five minutes later, he and Ben walked out as new owners of genuine cowboy boots. J Ben had saved up for his, and Dad was finally cashing in his “Christmas boots” gift coupon. They were quite happy.

We made it home pretty late that evening, and quite literally collapsed in bed. I was so tired that I didn’t even cry myself to sleep as I had so many nights that week . . .

To be continued . . .

Whom Shall I Fear?

You hear me when I call

You are my morning song

Though darkness fills the night

It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear?

You crush the enemy

Underneath my feet

You are my Sword and Shield

Though troubles linger still

Whom shall I fear?

I know Who goes before me

I know Who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The One who reigns forever

He is a Friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

My strength is in Your name

For You alone can save

You will deliver me

Yours is the victory

I know Who goes before me

I know Who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The One who reigns forever

He is a Friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

Whom shall I fear?

Whom shall I fear?

And nothing formed against me shall stand

You hold the whole world in your hands

I'm holding onto Your promises

You are faithful

You are faithful

You are faithful

I know Who goes before me

I know Who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The One who reigns forever

He is a Friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The God of angel armies is always by my side

--“Whom Shall I Fear” by Chris Tomlin

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 (KJV)

My Grandpa

*We normally post recipes on Saturdays, but due to the fact that we’ve been gone so much, haven’t had much time for creative cooking, and have so many tributes to post following my Grandparent’s deaths, we have decided to post tributes on Saturdays for the next couple of months. We plan to return to Saturday recipe-posting in April or May.*

~Posted by Ben (Tribute written to share at the funeral)

Dear Grandpa:

Time flies way too quick! Tomorrow turns to yesterday, and the years seem to fly by without us noticing! I am writing this letter because you recently passed away. I can’t say that I was precisely able to predict this day coming. It is a strange feeling; I knew the day was coming soon, but I did not think it was coming this soon.

When I first found out about your passing, an icy feeling overcame me. I was fully aware that you had died yet at the same time it took awhile for me to digest the fact that you were no longer with us. The fact that I would never speak to you on this earth again, the fact that I would never hear that soft, relaxing southern drawl of yours again in this life, the fact that I will no longer be seeing that beaming smile stretch across your pleasant face in this life. That smile that lit up an entire room. It pains me deeply, but at the same time, it brings me great joy to know that you no longer have breathing problems, or joint pains, or lack of strength. It brings me great joy to think of you jumping, running, laughing, and most importantly singing praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In a small way, I must admit to almost being jealous that you get to see Christ Jesus before we do.

I would like to spend a brief time reminiscing about you and me. I will always remember you as a man who wonderfully exhibited all of the fruits of the spirit. But the fruit of the spirit I will most remember about you is patience. I can think of several times that you could have lost your temper and didn’t. I admired your amazing mildness and ability to hold your words even when the temptation to be upset was great. I can see that attribute in my father. There are times that I have seen my father peacefully handle situations that most often would be handled in fists. This is not to say that you and my father were not decisive and to the point, but that you did not let your emotions get the best of you. I pray that when I grow up God will bless me with such good patience. For Proverbs 22:29 says, “An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.”

In the remaining time I am permitted I would like to share, for the sake of a little comic relief, a fun and comical memory of you. I heard this story from someone in the family, so I am not positive if this event actually happened or if it was a comical, fictitious parable of you. Apparently, Grandma was in the garage and fell off the step and into the recycling bin. She was not able to get herself out. After letting out a sigh that she was not hurt, she started calling for help. “A….A….I have fallen in the recycling bin and can’t get up!” You allegedly walked out to the garage after hearing this and standing on the step said, “Just one minute, I have to go to the bathroom.” You then walked back in the house. Grandma calmly replied in her wonderful southern accent, “All right, A, take your time.” Luckily, as the story goes, you successfully remembered her after your time in the restroom, and returned to pull Grandma out of the bin.

I had a great Grandpa in you. I love you and miss you so much. As all human beings, you were not perfect, but you have left me proud to bear your name and remember you as my Grandpa. I know that at this point it is customary to say goodbye, but I will do no such thing, because goodbye is forever. I will see you again!

Until we are reunited, I bid a temporary farewell to you, my precious Grandpa.

Your proud grandson,

Ben

I Thessalonians 4:13-14:

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”

Grandma: Part 4

~Thursday, February 14~

As I mentioned yesterday, we had some issues come up following Grandma’s death. These are matters that we prefer to keep private, but I wanted to try to blog around them, if you will, so that you get an idea of what happened the rest of the week following Grandma’s death.

On Thursday morning Mom woke me up early to go with Dad to return our rental car and pick up the Budget truck we had reserved to transport the things we were taking from Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

When we got back home, I quickly ate a muffin and we began packing up the things we wanted to take. Dad was supposed to have a meeting with a lawyer that morning but that ended up getting cancelled.

Instead, we ran some other errands and then went over to Burger King. I had eaten a few pieces of the leftover ham as “lunch” so just got a smoothie. My appetite was pretty low from all that was going on.

After that we went to the hardware store to pick up some kits to change the locks at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Their locks were all original (the house was built in the 50’s) so they didn’t all work well. Unfortunately the locks and doors aren’t standard, so the locks we had purchased wouldn’t work. And we accidently broke the old lock taking it out. L So we had to call a locksmith.

After that, we loaded up our things from the house and ran a few more errands. We finished after 9:00 p.m. and we still hadn’t eaten dinner. Dad and Ben went out to get pizza and breadsticks.

I don’t think we all made it to bed until after midnight. It had been a very long and difficult day, but we were thankful for God’s promises, especially that He is always with us and never forsakes us.

~Friday, February 15~

Friday afternoon Dad was scheduled to have a meeting with another lawyer. But once again, that meeting did not work out.

So in the morning, we ate breakfast out, then headed back towards the house to do a final walk-through and say goodbye to the place where—in a way—we all had grown up. On our way we ran into my Dad’s sister and her family. They were also on their way to the house. They decided to drive around and come back after we did our walk-through, to load up their things.

I am going to miss this place so much. My memories of time spent here are innumerable. It has been one of the only constant places present in my life so far.

The back porch with the glider.

The backyard, where we kids spent many hours playing games, catching fireflies, and shooting off small fireworks on the 4^th of July.

When my cousins came back, we all said our goodbyes outside. I’m not really sure when I’ll see them again, so it was rough.

Photo Credit: Roma.

After saying our goodbyes, we left town and headed for my Grandparents’ house in Ohio to spend the night.

We all enjoyed seeing the other side of the family, but Josiah in particular was excited for the opportunity to see his cousins.

We ate a delicious dinner fixed by my Abuela and enjoyed fellowshipping with our family. We fell into bed, exhausted , late that night.

To be continued . . .

Grandma: Part 3

~Wednesday, February 13~

This day is one that I wish I could forget. A part of me is bruised from all the pain. I don’t want to feel it anymore. My natural instinct is to shut down emotionally. But God is allowing me to go through all of this pain for a reason. I cling to the promise found in James 1:2-3, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” It’s ok to hurt, to cry, and to grieve. But in the end, I must CHOOSE hope and joy.

We arrived at the church around 9:00 a.m. The viewing didn’t start until 10:00 a.m., but we needed to do a few things to prepare for the service.

Grandma’s body hadn’t arrived from the funeral home yet, but as I stood in the corner where she would be placed, I couldn’t keep the tears back. My mind played the phrase “She was just here” over and over again, like a broken record. How could she be here three weeks ago, alive, and then be in the exact same place today in her casket?

Folks started arriving for the viewing around 10:00 a.m. They played the slideshow I had made during the viewing. Here, Dad and his two cousins from VA watch the video together.

Part way through the viewing, my stomach started to growl loudly. We had eaten a light breakfast really early that morning, and I was unsure whether or not I was going to make it through the service without my stomach growling the whole time. Some of the girls and I decided to ask the kitchen committee—who were preparing things for the luncheon—if they had any crackers or something we could nibble on. They were so gracious and kind to us! They took us back in the kitchen where they had muffins, cinnamon rolls, and orange juice. We were so grateful!

A lot of church friends, neighbors, and out-of-town guests came out for the viewing and funeral service. While Pastor N—the Worship Pastor—played “Marching to Zion” on the piano (one of Grandma’s favorite songs), the family had a few private minutes before entering the service. Pastor D prayed with us, and we proceeded into the sanctuary.

Pastor D started off the service by praying, sharing some scripture passages, and leading us in singing “Shall We Gather at the River,” another favorite song of Grandma’s.

Following that, we all shared the letters and tributes we had written for Grandma. It was pretty hard at times because the last time we stood at that podium to speak, Grandma was right there listening, sitting in her wheelchair by the second pew.

Grandma mentioned my piano-playing several times after she went to live at the nursing home. I had planned to bring a few of my books the next time we visited so I could play some songs for her. Instead, I played “Great is Thy Faithfulness” at her funeral. It’s one of the few regrets I have: that I didn’t play for her sooner.

Pastor D shared a few words about Grandma before concluding the service by leading us in singing “When We All Get to Heaven.” How I am looking forward to that day!

It was very hard to watch them wheel Grandma out of the church. The last time she crossed that hall, she was living. Yet in a sense, she is more alive now than she has ever been before. How thankful I am for that hope.

The luncheon following the service was once again, beautifully done. They had the same menu from Grandpa’s funeral, but that didn’t bother us at all. We were so filled with gratitude for all the congregation did to help our family.

Despite the solemn attitude of the day, there were brief moments of relief. I was actually a little bit bossy during lunch (shocking, I know!) Most of the family had gone through the food line and went to sit down. Somehow our two cousins ended up at a table all by themselves on the other side of the room. That just didn’t go over well with me. J I went over there and made some joke about excommunication, and then strongly urged (ok, ordered) them to come sit with us. J

Over lunch I had the opportunity to talk with the cousins, my Abuela and Abuelo, Pastor D, and Pastor N. Pastor N has been to Haiti before, so that was mostly what we talked about. All the fellowship that occurred made me think of Grandma. She would have loved being surrounded by so many friends and family that she hadn’t seen in a long time. She was always in her element amongst a crowd.

Sadly we had to say our goodbyes in order to go have the graveside service. God blessed us with a beautiful day. The sun shone bright and clear, and the temperatures were far warmer than they were the last time we were at the cemetery.

Being at the graveside in the exact same spot where we buried Grandpa was difficult. The dirt around his grave was still fresh.

After Pastor D had said a few words and prayed with us, he shared some personal words with our family. I know I have said it countless times before, but he was such a blessing to us through all of this. ‘Though we may not see him again on this earth, we can look forward to an eternity of rejoicing together with all believers in heaven one day.

We traipsed through the mud and slush to go back and see Grandma and Grandpa’s grave. The spot they picked was absolutely beautiful.

Before we left the cemetery, we said our goodbyes to the Virginia cousins who were returning home that day. There were many rounds of hugs as well as a final prayer-time together for travel safety. We are so thankful that they could come, because we were really blessed by their presence there.

That afternoon, we returned to Grandma and Grandpa’s house and tried to unwind. Mom and I went on a walk while the others continued to go through Grandma and Grandpa’s things at the house.

That evening we went out to Grandma and Grandpa’s favorite local restaurant to celebrate a worthy achievement by Roma. That very morning, she had finished reading through her Bible (the first time all the way through) in one year.

Everyone enjoying their dinner at the restaurant.

Photo Credit: Our waitress.

At dinner was when all the emotions started catching up with me. I kept thinking about the times we had joined Grandpa at the restaurant following a visit with Grandma at the nursing home.

When we got back home, I slipped out onto the dark screened porch and sat down on the glider. The tears and sobs came flooding out. How many times had I sat out there with Grandma and Grandpa on a warm summer afternoon, talking, rocking, and watching the birds outside the window? I remembered the cool summer evenings when I would sit on the glider beside Grandma with the space heater at our feet, listening to the trains on the tracks behind their house. I cried at the realization that I would never do those things again.

After all that stress-release, I went inside and started going through the box of cards and letters that Grandma had saved over the years. We ended up going to bed pretty late that night, but exhausted from the long day.

*The remaining posts about the events following Grandma’s death will be a bit vague, purposely. I can’t share all the details, but there were some serious issues that came up that we had to deal with. These events changed a lot of our plans for the week. I appreciate your understanding in our desire to keep these matters private. But please do pray for a quick settlement of Grandma and Grandpa’s estate and all the details surrounding it.*

To be continued . . .

Grandma: Part 2

~Monday, February 11~

It felt good to sleep in this morning after such a long day of traveling yesterday. Dad and Aunt Debbie left early this morning for a meeting at the funeral home followed by a meeting at the church.

After I had eaten breakfast, I decided to help Dad by going through the house collecting any remaining medical supplies and medication that needed to be disposed of. I also spent about an hour on the phone trying to find places to take all the items I had collected (everything from prescription medication, oxygen tubing, expired over-the-counter drugs, assorted ointments, and more.) I had also gathered some of Grandpa’s winter clothing to donate as well.

All the stuff to be donated. I filled up a bag the size of the one filled with clothes on the floor, with medicines!

I had no idea how difficult it would be to find places to take the meds! I thought most any pharmacy would take them and dispose of them, but apparently that’s not the case. I called several pharmacies, one college, the courthouse, the county health department, the nursing home, and the city mission (about the clothes.) It was definitely stretching for someone who isn’t a big fan of talking with strangers over the phone!

Once I had finally figured out where we needed to go, I had to get driving directions. But unfortunately the wifi at the house got messed up, so we were using the iPad for our internet, and that only gets 1 bar at their house. And on top of that, I couldn’t print from it! So I had to write out a whole page of directions. Imagine! J

Then I finally called my Abuelo who had arrived in town the night before and asked him to take me to the pharmacy and the city mission to dispose of everything. He graciously took me to both places.

It was difficult driving by the nursing home so many times over the week. I so desperately wanted to stop, sign the guestbook, and walk down the long hallway to Grandma’s room. I wanted to walk in behind her wheel chair and give her a big hug and ask how she was feeling. I wanted to say hello to the security guard at the desk who had become a friend to us, and also our favorite nurse in the skilled care unit. But I couldn’t. There’s no Grandma there anymore, and it hurts.

That evening we had a big family dinner at the house. Our family, my Aunt and her family, my Abuela and Abuelo from Ohio, and my Dad’s 2 cousins from Virginia all came. We actually ended up with TWO dinners that night; the neighbor across the street brought over a huge dinner, and my Uncle’s Mom who lives in town brought us dinner as well. We put away the dinner brought over by the neighbor for another day and enjoyed the turkey, mashed potatoes, biscuits, veggies, and fruit salad brought over by my Uncle’s Mom.

The 5 girls crammed around the card table (that doesn’t have chairs) in the living room.

The grownups pulled a card table to make an extension of the dining room table so that all the adults could eat together.

The boys picnicked in the den with towels on the floor.

After dinner we talked a long time with the VA cousins. We rarely get to see them, and it was so good to visit with them. The evening ended in a tickle-war against Aunt Debbie. J It helps to have moments of laughter sprinkled throughout times of sadness.

Photo Credit: Roma.

~Tuesday, February 12~

This morning I got up early to go with Daddy to the church to drop off a CD with the powerpoint slideshow I had made in honor of Grandma. It was good to see Pastor D again. I only wish it was under different circumstances.

We quickly drove home because we had a couple coming in (realtors) to look at the house and talk about putting it on the market. They seem like a really nice couple, and they’re optimistic that the home will sell quickly at a realistic price.

Later that afternoon our cousin T arrived home from a little shopping spree. He had been saving his money for a long time and finally purchased a Browning lever action 30-06 rifle. It’s a pretty scary-looking machine.

Look at the size of the bullets!! That gun is meant for serious hunting. Thankfully T is very careful.

That afternoon we had the out-of-town family over again and had the meal that had been brought over by the neighbor across the street. The ham and potato salad were delicious, and we also had leftover fruit salad from the night before.

The lovely ladies (one of them may or may not have had too much ham . . . J [pun intended])

We decided to get some pictures with the cousins that afternoon. Our cousin B always has a way of making us laugh. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that he works at a funeral home. J

This is the good picture of our family. In the picture before this, I had spun around and made a face at my Aunt who had shot a rubber band at me. J

Photo Credit: Our Cousin M.

That evening we ate a light snack and freshened up for the viewing at the funeral home. When I walked into the funeral home was when it started to hit me pretty hard why we were here. In the past year, I have been to more viewings than I ever want to again.

We had arrived an hour early to the funeral home. Pastor D met us there with hugs and words of comfort. He has been a tremendous blessing to our family in this time, and God has truly knit our hearts together during these trials. I think one reason he has been such an extra blessing to us, is that he is a lot like my Grandpa. They are both tall in stature but gentle in nature. They both love singing and have a deep love for their Savior. While no one will ever replace my Grandpa’s place in our hearts, it was a gift from God to have someone so much like him to help us through the grieving process.

When all the immediate family had arrived, we proceeded into the funeral parlor for the private family viewing. Before I even had a chance to really look at Grandma, the tears started falling. The feelings of déjà vu were overwhelming. I just couldn’t believe that my other Grandparent was lying in a casket in front of me, all over again.

After we had a few minutes to take it in and cry, Pastor D gathered us all in a circle and prayed with us amidst his own tears. After that he left, and we waited for the viewing to officially start.

One of my Dad’s best friends and mentors who lives in PA sent this blanket in honor of Grandma. He lost his wife—who was quite young—back in July, so he knew very well what we were going through.

Everyone looking at the casket. The funeral home was very beautiful and peaceful. They do an excellent job.

We had received a few bouquets of flowers that were placed around the room. We received a bouquet from my Aunt and Uncle in Ohio, the nursing home where Grandma had lived, and from one of my Dad’s co-workers (pictured above.)

Dad and Aunt Debbie had picked out a beautiful spray of flowers for the top of the casket. The ribbons read “Loving Mom” and “Loving Grandma.” Grandma would have appreciated the variety of flowers in the arrangement.

Grandma looked so beautiful. Most of the time people don’t look like themselves at the viewing. But I can honestly say that Grandma looked like Grandma, only 10 years younger. Her body had been badly bruised because of the skin issues she had from taking the steroid medications, but the funeral home did an excellent job covering the bruises. They fixed her hair and makeup beautifully, just the way she would have dressed up to go out. The dress she is wearing is the same one she wore for my parents’ wedding 24 years ago, and the same one she had worn to Grandpa’s funeral. She looked so peaceful.

The viewing was very well attended by family friends, neighbors, and relatives. It was good to see so many familiar faces and so many people that didn’t know Grandma and Grandpa well but came for our sakes.

To be continued . . .