Hi everyone,

I've been sleeping (am sick again with a cold) so hence the couple days since my return.

Saying goodbye to Gram was hard and beautiful all at once. I ended up having her put in her new, never-worn red coatdress with the red velvet buttons, and a triple strand of faux pearls round her neck. Everyone said she looked regal and elegant. I would have never known it was her--except for the way her fingers bent at the last joint due to a little arthritis. Her face was totally expressionless--of course I had never seen her face like that. They did a good job, though it did not look like her.

The minister said a beautiful piece, full of all the right Scripture passages. I met family and friends I had only heard about, and some that I had never heard about or met. I put all of the framed pictures that were cherished by her on a big table in the chapel, and it made for some good conversation about things she held near and dear (I would absolutely advise everyone to do this--it warms the mood in the room). I was told over and over again how much she adored me, and was given lots and lots of hugs.

My mom helped with the last-minute funeral and business details. I'm glad she was there. My best friend came from Kansas City--husband came with and helped watch their 3 kids while she came to the funeral--THAT is a friend.

All in all, an absolutely exhausting and completely emotional drain. I am glad it is over and will have to adjust to life without my wonderful, sweet Gram.

Dawn

Just to share a bit about my own Dad's funeral...... I knew that it (his passing) would come sooner or later, so I found myself listing for SPECIAL songs on the radio - songs that I would have at his funeral service. When we DID have his service, last July 10th, and the preacher looked at my song list, he sputtered, "wha, wait, sh, she can't have songs like that!!"

The Funeral Director told him "she can have whatever she wants!" (Thank you, Kent.) So, as I'm sure a lot of people in the church sat with their mouths hanging down to their respective chests, we listened while Garth Brooks sang "The Dance"; Phil Collins sang "You'll Be In My Heart"; Vince Gill sang "Go Rest High On That Mountain" and Linda Ronstadt sang "Somewhere Out There."

It was a BEAUTIFUL service and so wonderful for me and those who TRULY knew Daddy and the kind of music he liked. It was my final gift to him.

Dawn,

It sounds like a beautiful service. I'm glad you got the chance to say goodbye to your Gram in such a nice way.

When my Dad passed away last year, we did the same thing, we put all his pictures out in the visiting room. It did help so much to share those memories with the people who came to see him and us.

And one of my very dearest friends came and handled all the music arrangements for the service and played the organ. My son was to sing at the funeral and my friend's husband practiced the hymn too, just to be prepared to step in if my son couldn't get through the hymn for his Grandpa. But he did it, he made it through and it was so beautiful.

Take some time for yourself now, rest and get well from your cold.