Grams Funeral

Wednesday, June 3rd--The morning came far too early. We had to be back at the funeral home at 10:15 am and it was in Taylorsville (about 45 minutes away). I also had volunteered to sing a solo so I had to practice with my sister, Amanda, playing the piano. One of Grams favorite holiday traditions, over the last several years, was to attend the play "Forgotten Carols" (something I love to do as well). Her favorite song in the play is: "I Was Not His Father, He Was Mine", a song that tells a story of a young woman walking into an area where Joseph, Jesus's earthly father, is doing his carpentry work. She asks him about Jesus Christ and what it was like to be his father and his response is the title of the song. It's a very deep, touching song but it's intended to be sung by a man so I decided to sing "Together Forever Someday". This song is sung at the end of the play and the writer of the amazing play, Michael McLean, participates in the play and then asks everyone to hold hands and sing this song at the end. I pray all of my family will be together forever someday and I know Grams always wanted that as well.

Fifteen minutes before the funeral, all of our family gathered and my dad offered a family prayer. The prayer was beautiful and very touching. Then, for the last time, we all took one last look at Grams before the casket was closed.

The funeral program seemed long but went by pretty fast. One of Grams many jobs, throughout her life, was working with some dear friends doing singing telegrams. The owner of the company spoke at the funeral and then ended with a singing telegram for Grams. It was pretty funny and seemed to lighten up the mood in the room. Four of my cousins read poems that Grams wrote. She was a published poet. Interestingly, as my aunt has been going through Grams things, she's found many more poems Grams wrote throughout the years. She use to write them during church. My mom, my sister and brother all spoke. And smack dab in the middle was my solo. Oy vey, lets just say the practicing sounded much better. I couldn't hold it together. My time to officially break down and mourn for my beautiful grandmother had come.....during the entire song! At then end of the song I asked for those that know the song to help out a little. Phew!

Once the program was over the pallbearers got up and prepared to make the LONG walk to the grave sight, carrying the casket. Fortunately, the casket was on a cart to make things much easier. Nate and my brother, Adam, were in the front and lead the way. The family followed behind. The graveside service was short and sweet with my dad dedicating the grave. The pallbearers removed the flowers from their shirts and placed them on the casket and then my sister, Alishia, had brought roses for all the girls in our family, to place on the casket. I loved that Elise very much wanted to be a part of everything---it was touching to watch her place the rose on the casket as well. After the grave sight was dedicated it was time to bring out the massive balloon bouquet. We had decided to do a balloon launch for my grams. We got 50 bright and vibrant colored ballons and a few of the men helped pass them out. Everyone got at least one and we did a countdown. The launch was amazing and so symbolic. All 50 balloons stayed together as far as the eye could see. Again, a perfect message of families staying together forever.

Before we headed back to our cars, several of us cousins took roses from the floral arrangement that was on Grams casket. We decided we would dry them and keep them in remembrance. The roses were vibrant as well--so very much like Grams.

We left and went to Grams ward building where several ladies cooked a ham dinner for all of the family---complete with funeral potato's! It was a very kind gesture and we all appreciated it very much.

I couldn't help but have a huge sigh of relief once we got home. What a week! I think many of us were emotionally drained so it was good to get home and rest. Now it's time to spend the next little while and just reflect on all the wonderful, and even not-so-wonderful, memories of Grams. Like I said, she was a special lady. I hope I inherited some of her vibrant spirit and joy in laughter. I hope she's cracking jokes, pulling pranks, doing her singing telegrams and making heaven a little chaotic right now. Love you, Grams!