Saying Goodbye!

(Editor's note:  This is mostly my journal entry to remember this time and the feelings and such, so bear with me as I write this to be part of my history)

Having my father-in-law pass away was a hard way to start the summer out.  As posted before, Del died on Thursday, June 2nd about 7:00pm with his wife next to him.  We got the call around 8pm...visions of the phone call telling me of my sister's death over 11 years ago rang in my mind......it was hard to finally hear those words. 

We had been preparing for a week for this, but those few words stung my heart.  It was so hard the next few days, filled with tears and sorrow, and planning.  Oh so much planning.  My husband and his brothers (living the nearest) spent the next couple of days being close to their mother, helping her in any way possible. Del actually had done some planning before he died....he wrote his eulogy and even printed out a rough draft of the services he wanted.  (As you can tell, he was a very organized man) Saturday was spent at the mortuary making the arrangements for the funeral and the burial....my mother in law wanted us there to help her.  We picked out a casket, decided on flowers, worked on travel arrangements to get Del to the cemetery in Utah, and so on.  So many things to decide on that it made my head swim.  I must say though, it couldn't have happened at a better time.  I know that sounds rude, but Girl's camp was over and T's Fire Academy wouldn't start for another week, so my family didn't have to rearrange anything to get to all the things we needed to.  T was able to get time off work and since my hubby works for his brothers, well....

The funeral was held on Wednesday, June 8th at 12:15 in the Black Forest church building.  The viewing was held at 11:00 that morning.  My mother-in-law had asked me to take pictures at the viewing....something I was a bit afraid to do I must say.  I have never taken pictures at a funeral before.  But she wanted pictures of Del in the casket, the people coming to see him and visit with the family, the flowers, anything and everything.  So that is what I did....I felt awkward as I went around the room snapping pictures.  I tried to take them from the back so that it was not obvious that I was taking pictures. And it all turned out okay.  So this post will contain pictures from the viewing....not sure I will post the pictures of Del in the casket yet...I will decide that when I start downloading the pictures.  But I am sure those will be on the blog that my mother-in-law asked me to start on behalf of Del.

 (watching a movie of his life playing throughout the viewing)

(This man was my bishop when I was a young child living in CO...what a small world that they would end up knowing my in laws...and he remembered me too)

I must say that I am very impressed with my hubby's side of the family.  Of course, all 5 children were there with their spouses and of the 25 grand children, 22 were in attendance.  Del has 43 great grand children and about half were there.  That is a pretty strong showing...shows what a wonderful man he was.

My husband was so strong through this whole thing....so much stronger than I could have been.  He was asked to say the family prayer at the end of the viewing.  He struggled through that, which made me struggle even more, but he did a wonderful job....said all the right things and really held it together for a son who just lost his father.  I was so proud of him.  He was amazing.

"Oh My Father" was sung as the opening hymn.  That song has always touched my heart and made me tear up, but it will forever do so more when I hear it from now on.....it was his favorite song.  My hubby's brother gave the eulogy while my hubby and his other siblings told of memories they have of their father.

The flowers were gorgeous....one bouquet from each of his children plus the 2 standing sprays for either side of the casket.  My mother-in-law wanted vibrant colors....Del didn't like pastels....and colors to go well with the flag that would be draped over his casket.  They were the prettiest flowers I have ever seen.  The colors were so rich and they were just so beautiful.

(this one was from us...we love gladiolus)

The Pallbearers were the oldest grandsons in each family, so T was one of them and that made me even more emotional to see my handsome son helping to carry his grandfather ever so carefully.  He did it with such grace and solemness.  He made me proud, as he does so many times in his life.

(minus one that left before we could get this picture..wanted to get one actually carrying the casket, but...)

The RS fed us a wonderful lunch afterwards.  It was so nice to see so much family and get a chance to catch up on their families and lives.  It was a great visit and we were all so happy to be there to support each other and reconnect.

 (my hubby with his mother and siblings)

 (hubby's brother and his family)

 (hubby's sister and her family....minus 3 kids and 15 of her grand kids)

 (hubby's brother and his family.....minus 2 of his grand kids)

(hubby's sister and her family....minus 4 of her grand kids)

(and of course, this fine looking family...best in the bunch)

 (the cousins pushed their tables together to be closer to each other....)

 (my mother-in-law and her only sister)

 (K holding K...yes they have the same name and she thinks that is so cool...they are 2nd cousins?)

 (the grand sons...aren't they handsome)

(and of course the gorgeous grand daughters)

It was a lovely ceremony...our family filled the church with little room for friends.  A friend of mine attended the funeral, unbeknownst to me until she gave me a hug after the service.  That meant so much to me that she would take time out to be there for ME! (Thanks friend!)  It was hard to see the pallbearers help load him in the hearse and watch as it drove away.  I think that was just as emotional as the service itself.  Much different than going straight to the cemetery for the graveside.....that will have to wait for a couple of days as we all travel to Utah.  And that is another post to write.