Post Funeral

No post last week. It was too difficult to write the story of Sandy's last couple of earthly hours and then the days leading up to her funeral. Suffice it to say she passed away peacefully with family in her presence. At the funeral on Saturday 5 October, she received a joyous sendoff from her family and friends. There was laughter and tears; hugs and sadness.

The chapel was full, the overflow was full. 25 family members, and a few angels, sang: "Oh, What Songs of the Heart" as the opening song; Miranda gave a lovely eulogy, Dan McClellan read memories of the siblings and Jonathan gave the Plan of Salvation talk. All were superb. Then it was off to Douglas Cemetery for the interment. But there had been an auto accident at the major intersection just up from the chapel, so we were delayed a few minutes. But Sandy got her police escort. I drove the Model A to the cemetery. It was the car we started our lives together with, so it was only appropriate that the car was there for her final resting. The grand children sang another song, a few memories were shared and I dedicated the grave. Sue and Steve played the alp horns; someone asked if they ever lowered the casket while family was still present. Yes, but rarely. But they lowered the casket and the grandchildren enjoyed taking flowers from the casket spray and throwing them on top of the casket.

Then back to the chapel for dinner provided by the Relief Society. Then back to the house for visiting. Savannah and Sarah got all the women to the bedroom where the ladies went through Sandy's clothes. A lot of fun was had by all and everyone came away with some item of Sandy's.

Five of Sandy's nieces/nephews traveled to be at the funeral and it was great to visit with them, even for a short time: Sarah English, Robert, Catherine, Cyrus (whose wife had a baby the same day that Sandy passed on), and Ben all the way from CA. Thank you for coming.

We took over the church building on Sunday. We watched conference in the RS room and ate lunch and dinner in the cultural hall. Here are some photos that capture those moments.

And note the grouping of the families during the meals:

One project that Sandy wanted completed was landscaping in the front gardens. It didn't happen in her life time, but it was completed this past Monday and looks so much better.

This week I have tried to stay busy scanning family photos; organizing the photos we already have; organizing small corners of the house (what am I suppose to do with feminine hygiene products?); unsubscribing from Sandy's many regular email senders.

We put one of the rent houses on the market early in September and Friday I signed a counter offer. If all goes well, this cash offer will close before the end of the month. Not the price Sandy would have accepted (sorry), but logic told me to accept it anyway. One down, several more to go.

There is life after the passing of one's spouse. There are okay days, and not so good ones. But I know that Sandy is in a happy place, so why shouldn't I be? My goal is to find joy each day and to be kinder to people. The following is a quote from Neal A. Maxwell:
"A mortal life may need to be 'shortened' by twenty years as we might view it - but if so, it may be done in order for special services to be rendered by that individual in the spirit world, services that will benefit thousands of new neighbors."


Have a great week.