The Final Goodbye

So the funeral was on Wednesday and we took off for Utah on Friday.  My hubby, J and K had a Daddy Daughter Date Thursday evening that I am happy they didn't have to miss.  It was for Activity Days and had been planned for months.....we did one for Mother's Day last month.  They played Minute To Win It games and had a blast.

We had a nice long boring ride to Utah and made it in to town just in time to meet my parents at In N Out Burger for dinner......oh the thought of it now!  It was great to see my parents and get to spend some time with them.

Saturday was spent with my hubby's family doing various things.  The Graveside was set for 10:00am at the Salt Lake City Cemetery....you know the one with all the prophets and presidents of the church in.....my in- laws had purchased plots there many years ago alongside my mother-in-laws parents.  The day was beautiful.....hot, sunny and the perfect day......the view was wonderful....

When we arrived around 9:15, there were already some friends there along with a few family. 

By the time we started, there were so many people surrounding the tent.

(these are my parents who came to offer support to their friend)

We were very happy to see that the flowers had made it in relatively good shape having been at the funeral 3 days prior.

When it was ready to start, the pallbearers went up the hill to the car to get the casket.  My hubby and one of his brothers were asked by his mother to be a pallbearer here, so I was able to see both my men be a part of that experience.  They were lead by a bagpiper who made me weep as he played.  They placed the casket on the stand and the bagpipe player continued on down the hill playing, his music trailing away.  It was emotional.

The service was lovely.  My mother-in-law and all her children were seated in front of the casket, while the rest of us gathered around.  A song was sang, the eulogy was read, my hubby's brother gave the dedication of the grave.  It was so nice.  Then came the military part of the service.  He was in the Navy during World War II, so the Navy guys were dressed in their dress whites and looked so sharp.  One played Taps as the other one stood near the casket.

Then he gently laid down his trumpet and took his place at the other end of the casket.  With great precision, they folded the flag and presented it to my mother-in-law.  He spoke to her softly and I watched him intently to see what he was saying to her as it brought tears to her eyes.  I could pick out some, but had to ask my hubby what else was said.  Again, it was very emotional.

Then the grandchildren were asked to place a flower on the casket for their grandfather.  It was so sweet to see them file past and place it gently.  I love this picture of M as you can see the sorrow she was feeling at that time.

After the service, we visited with those friends that had come.  To my great surprise, there were 2 couples there from my past that I have not seen in years.  Again, as at the viewing, there was another couple from my youth in the Littleton ward that my in laws ended up knowing,  and the other from my CA ward that live in Utah now.  It was nice to see them and catch up a bit.  Afterwards, the whole family was invited to a family members house for lunch...how thoughtful to invite this huge crew over and feed us.  Thank you for that. 

But before my family left, we lingered at the casket for a bit longer.  I guess we were not ready to leave him just yet.  We sat and visited and admired the beauty of the casket and the lovely flowers on top.  After awhile, we noticed the truck waiting down the hill...waiting for all to leave so they could do their part in burying my father-in-law.  We were the last to leave and as soon as we passed by, he pulled forward.

So we went down the hill to President Hinckley's grave and President McKay's who are almost next to each other.  We also found several other Prophets and noticed on every one someone had left a single red rose.  I was touched by that.  At President Hinckley's, there were pennies lined up next to each other in a row.....pennies for the temples.  We had a nice time as a family finding and reading these great men's headstones and remembering them.

On our way out of the cemetery and on to lunch, we pulled back around to the grave and saw that they had lowered it into the vault and in the hole....they were just about to place the lid on the vault....but he stopped as he saw us pull up.  He must have remembered our car as we drove past him the first time.  It was great to see the flowers still on the top of the casket.

After lunch, we headed back to the cemetery to look at headstones with my mother-in-law.  She wanted us to see and give our opinions.  Then it was up to the grave to see.....one last time.  It was sweet to see J and K put a flower they had picked at lunch on his grave.

It was a long and emotional day, but it was also a wonderful day.  A day to be in the beautiful sunshine with family remembering the great man that we can still call Husband, Father, Father-in-law, Granddaddy, and Great Granddaddy.  These last few days would have been much harder without the knowledge that the gospel brings us....eternal families.....we will see him again if we do what is right.  He is not gone forever, just a bit further away now...just for the time being.  We love you Del!