Memorial Day and the End of May...

Monday, May 30, 2022, would be our first Memorial Day in our home. We invited the Marx family to join us for a cookout and to make 'smores in our new fire ring. The temperature outside was to soar to almost 90 degrees in the afternoon. 

We got up and both thought a biscuit run might be a great way to start this day. Off to Chick-filA to get Claude his mini-chicken biscuits. We were surprised to find they were not opening until 10:30am. On to Plan B. Bojangles would get our biscuit money this morning. 

Next, to find some shade to sit in the car and eat our biscuit breakfast. We pulled around Bojangles to see about under their one tree on the side of the restaurant. Alas, a car had that spot already. Claude decided to drive to the old Kroger parking lot where we know of a tree I used to take Papa to sip on a soda and watch life happen around us. Well, that didn't work as well as we planned either. It seems a car was already parked in one spot and a trailer from a tractor trailer rig was parked in the other spot. However, it cast a nice shadow in the one parking space under the tree. We chose to let the trailer be out shade. 

Back home we went. I started laundry. Claude set to work trimming the grass around the ivy on the hill, then blowing the berries off the patio, and finally hosing down the patio. I went out and wiped down the furniture. It seems the trees that we have been calling honey locust trees were now dropping purple berries onto the patio. The birds were not eating any of these berries. So we had a veritable carpet of purple berries on the patio. The furniture had berries on it too. We totally enjoyed the flowers these trees bring. The fragrance from the flowers is delicious. But the berries...well...they are not so much fun. We got the patio all cleaned and ready for company. 

The Marx family had some illness in it. It seems Bailey was having a big problem with profuse nose bleeds. Pediatrician saw her and sent her directly to an ENT. Almost had to go to the ER but they finally got it stopped. Poor girl was even bleeding out her eyes. So, Michael stayed home with Bailey for this day and Andie and Hayden came over. 

Time for Hayden to get some more hours behind the wheel of their car. He has to have 60 hours with some of that at night. To get to our home is 1 1/2 hours. So that would really help up his total. That is a long time to drive for a kid that has only been driving within a 30 mile radius of his home. He drove over and he drove home. That would give him some nighttime hours. Yeah Hayden!!

We were able to spend Hayden and Andie's visit out on the patio. The shade trees keep the backyard about 10 degrees cooler than the temperature. We had a little breeze and it was lovely sitting outside and enjoying the fresh air. 

Claude grilled burgers and hot dogs. We also had ribs from Kroger. Claude made a potato salad, a peas and cheese salad, and deviled eggs. Lots of food for four people. When we finished, I got two tin pie pans and Andie made big plates to take home to Michael and Bailey. Claude got the firepit going and we enjoyed its maiden voyage. 'Smores were delicious, messy, but very delicious.

After dinner, Hayden said he needed a nap before driving home. Lots of concentration makes for a tired lad. He excused himself and went to rest. After a bit, I went inside for something and was surprised to see that Hayden was not on the sofas. It seems our young man went to the guest room, pulled back the bedspread and climbed into the bed, covered up and, with the ceiling fan whirring away, took a nice long nap. I love that he is so very comfortable in our home. 

When it was time to wake the boy and head back to LaGrange, we went to load things in their car. Andie came in quite concerned. It seems when she walked out the front door, some little bird flew away and another little bird made it to the middle of the sidewalk and stopped. This little bird froze in place with his beak pointed to the sky. It was like a baby bird statue. We walked around it to load the car and it never moved. You could pause and look at it and it still never moved. Claude and I would leave it alone that evening. Somewhere I seem to remember that if you touch the baby bird, the mother will reject that baby. 

Tuesday, May 31, 2022, when we got up I looked out the study window. Happy to see that the baby was gone and the sidewalk showed no signs of foul play. Later I noticed a baby bird in the flower bed looking over the edging of the flower bed. It looked to be a baby bird. I had an appointment to get the oil changed in my car. I walked around to see if I could see that baby. I didn't see a bird but I could hear bird sounds coming from the tall grass in the front flower bed. It seems that a mother bird made her nest on the ground in our bushes. When Claude came out to follow me to the car dealership, he saw a mother bird with two babies under the tree in the front yard. It seems one of the babies could only fly a few feet and then stop. Claude was concerned it couldn't fly. He got birdseed and strategically placed it along the flower bed and under the tree to help this mother with her baby. 

During the night, someone set fire to the old Sadieville school. This school has been abandoned for the entire time we have lived in Kentucky. At one time if had all 12 grades in one school. So many people went to this school before it closed. It was the heart of Sadieville. It was later discovered that two adults and two kids were responsible for setting fire to the school during the night. This is such a sad thing. 

I started a puzzle on Saturday. I would finish it at midnight on Monday night. Took this picture about 12:10am Tuesday morning. I love doing puzzles. 

This day we also had the glass guy return and replace the window in our dining room. Happy to have this chore completed. 

That finishes out May for our little home. It was a very nice Memorial Day and a good Tuesday to end this month. 

Finding Our New Normal...

Saturday, May 21st, we slept in as late as we wanted. I would work at my laptop labeling pictures and getting the pictures that others took in my files and labeled. We read scriptures together. In the evening we had the Saturday evening session of our Stake Conference. We left home about 4:30pm to go to dinner at Steak and Shake in Lexington prior to the conference. Then we attended the conference. Big thunderstorm while in this meeting. Back home we came between storms. We curled up in our bed and watched a little television before getting some rest for the night.

Sunday, May 22nd, we attended the Sunday morning session of Stake Conference. Claude and I would sing a duet for that. We sang "Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire" from the Men's Chorus section of the old blue hymnal. You see, Claude sings bass. I sing alto and drop to tenor when it gets to high in the alto parts. We opted for the men's section as it is written in the tenor range. I just sang the melody in the tenor range. We sounded strong to me from where we stood in front of the pulpit. After conference, I received a couple of text from friends saying we did well. 

We each napped when we got home. Then I spent time working on my Blog and pictures. We decided to watch the Harry Potter movies again. We made it through three of them this evening. 

The Roper family were able to watch their exchange student, Mai, graduate. 

Monday, May 23rd, I had an appointment with Dr. Fine to check the progress on my toe healing. It seems to be doing well. I am to continue soaking it once a day in Epsom salt water, then apply Vaseline and a band aid for one more week. I go back to see him in three months. Claude drove me to this appointment as I am very dizzy when taking the meds for the food poisoning. 

After we finished at Dr. Fine, we went to Bojangles for a biscuit before driving to Sunset Memorial Gardens. There was a document they couldn't give me until after the funeral. We got there a bit early and check on the gravesite first. They had the vase with my parents flowers on the grave next to theirs. I moved the vase. We picked up the paper and were on our merry way. 

While I was at the doctor, Claude took a check to reimburse him for things for Papa to Whitaker Bank to deposit in our account. He was told the funds were not available. Hmmmm... We decided to go home and wait for our mail to arrive. I signed up for USPS Informed Delivery. Every morning I receive an eMail of what mail will be delivered to our mailbox. I knew I had a bank statement coming from Papa's account. When the mail arrived, the statement looked the same as always. I took it and the check Claude had prepared for deposit to our favorite Whitaker Bank branch. They checked it out and all was well with Papa's account and with our account. My name is on Papa's account and there should be no problem with my issuing checks to finish out his finances. Not sure what happened at the other branch. I was very relieved to know I didn't have a battle to wage with this. 

Claude then took me to the nursing home. I had taken home all the books that Junie bought for Papa. They were lovely large books with lots of pictures. She really didn't want any when she came for the funeral. We decided I would take them back to the nursing home and donate them so other residents could enjoy them. I also had some diabetic socks to donate. I was fortunate that Charlotte in the front office could visit with me a bit. It was so nice to see these people who are like family to me. I gave and received hugs from several of my favorites. They were happy to receive these big books to add to their library and the socks were very welcome. Charlotte and I talked about what I should expect from Medicaid about Papa so there would be no surprises there. She had already notified them of his death. It should be fairly easy to get all his affairs finalized with them. Let's hope!!

We spent the rest of our day watching Harry Potter. We watched the next two videos. 

Tuesday, May 24th, was a day I totally enjoyed. We started it by reading the Come, Follow Me reading for this week. 

My daily routine always included several hours with Papa as long as I could get in to see him. This splits up your day. This was the first day since Papa's passing that I could spend all day in my home, working on my to do list at a leisurely pace, and just enjoying being a homemaker. Claude had errands to run and offered to take me with him but I cheerfully declined as I really wanted this one day at home. He totally understood. Part of the importance of this is finding what my new normal will be. 

I did our laundry. Then I spent most of the day in Sandiland working on things on my laptop, writing thank you notes. I did go out and fill the birdfeeder and pulled weeds in the hosta bed. But most of my time was spent clearing out things and working on things in Sandiland. My heart was happy all day long. I love this little house and how we have it set up. It is such a pleasure to be in it and accomplish things I need and want to do. 

Claude ordered a fire ring for the back yard. He did a lot of research and opted for one we both felt fit our back yard best. It arrived the previous Wednesday. We simply hid the boxes in the shed until there was time to put it together. This day, Claude put it together. It will make a nice addition to our back yard. Bring on the 'smores!!

We enjoyed left overs for dinner. Then we watched the final three Harry Potter movies. 

Wednesday, May 25th, Claude and I left the house for breakfast. I had purchased a toy for Joel's first birthday through Walmart and it was ready for curbside pickup. We drove through Chick-filA for our breakfast and then to Walmart. After getting the present for Joel,  Claude drove and parked in front of Walmart and went inside to find some long handled skewers for us to roast marshmallows and hot dogs over the fire ring. He had success in the effort. When he returned to the car he gave me a small bag of one of my favorite candies. He said he knew I wanted a little dessert after my breakfast. He is a good husband.

When we got home, we curled up on the sofa in the study and read our scripture together. After which we both laid down for a nap. Yep, old age is getting to us. That and the meds I am taking make me very sleepy and very dizzy. 

I awoke and headed to Sandiland for another afternoon of work on my laptop. Today's goal was to clean out eMail's and text messages, plus other things that need to be done. It was a fun and successful afternoon. So pleasant to do things at a relaxed pace instead of having to get things done in a tight time limit. 

In the evening we watched television. A good day. 

Thursday, May 26th, we slept late. How nice that is as one gets older. In the afternoon I did the ironing, hung pictures in Sandiland, made arrangements for a trip we will take in the future and updated my directory of login accounts. 

Friday, May 27th, we decided we needed a date. I checked the movie listing and the new Top Gun Maverick movie was playing at Regal Cinema in Hamburg Pavilion. I purchased tickets for 2pm. While Claude went for groceries for Memorial Day, I worked on a lesson I will teach in June about Moroni and the Title of Liberty. I collected pictures, fleshed out the idea for a craft for the kids to make, read the scripture block and thought about what to say and questions to ask. 

We left our home about noon and went to Walmart for me to pick up supplies for the craft the kids will make. Then off to the theater in Lexington. Love that theaters today have big overstuffed lounge chairs for you to sit in during the movie. This turned out to be an excellent movie. Years ago they made the Top Gun movie. This one picks up the story line years later. They did a nice job of tying off loose ends from former characters, adding the younger generation that has now come of age, and keeping true to what viewers want in a Top Gun movie. Claude and I really enjoyed this one. We don't go to a lot of movies. It is nice when we do decide to go, the movie is worth the time and money.

After the movie, we went to City BBQ for dinner. Then back to Georgetown for ice cream at Dairy Queen. I do enjoy the Girl Scout Thin Mint Blizzard. It was a lovely date. 

This day our grandson, Paul, was married at his church in Muskegon to Rachel Slade. He had told me this was going to happen when we were texting during the week. I asked for pictures. He was kind enough to post them on Facebook for me. This is Mr. & Mrs. Paul Thompson.

Saturday, May 28th, was a weird day for me. I was just off my game in every way. It is easy for me to believe I have dealt with all the things in my life and am moving along in a positive fashion. Then I have a day like Saturday and I realize I have not yet figured out all that my new norm is. It is still strange not to have to go to the nursing home every day for several hours. I miss Jacob in our home. Lots to adjust to and, for the most part, I am in great shape. I find that when I do have an off day in my life like Saturday was, I should just embrace it and get through it. Tomorrow could be entirely different. 

So, this Saturday I did nothing but read scriptures with Claude in the morning. In the afternoon, I got up and swept my home and vacuumed carpets. That is the sum total of really useful work I did this day. It felt good I even got that done. 

I then pulled out a jigsaw puzzle I purchased a couple of months back and started to work on it at the dining room table. I love doing jigsaw puzzles. I usually only do them on Christmas day because I am an addict when it comes to getting them done. I worked on this one off and on until 11pm. Then I actually left it and went to bed. Amazing for me. Absolutely amazing.

Sunday, May 29th, Claude lead the singing in sacrament meeting. I played the piano in Primary. We went to Jimmy John's for lunch. Stopped at Kroger and picked up two rib racks for Monday's meal. Then home where Claude tried to take a nap unsuccessfully while I finished the bottom half of my puzzle which was a field of tulips in various colors. Now I am finishing this weeks Blog post. Then back to my puzzle and a quiet evening with Claude. He is cooking potato salad for Memorial Day. We are planning on the Marx family joining us. 

As we were eating in Jimmy John's, I noticed a plane with a banner behind. Try as I could, I could not read that banner. Claude looked at it with me. We figured out that the two lines with the largest letters read "Computer Screens Off" "Sunscreen On". But the logo and smaller words we could never make out. I told Claude that is really sad. Someone went to a lot of expense to get that huge banner made, then paid handsomely to have a plane fly over Georgetown so people could read it. But people couldn't make out what was really being advertised. I took a picture and posted it on Facebook. A friend said his kids could tell it was an advertisement for Smirnoff. Since I don't drink, that was not even on my radar! It was nice to actually know what was being advertised. 

The importance of good people in our lives:

We had Primary Elections in Kentucky May 17th. As we now live in Georgetown, the slate of candidates we needed to vote from was a mite different than when living in Sadieville. Claude knew some of the candidates from his experiences over the years. Others, we had no clue about. So we found places to read up on them and learn about the candidates. By the time the election rolled around, we sat on the sofa in the study and went over the ballot in the Georgetown NewGraphic. We talked about the candidates and filled out that sample ballot so we were ready. We actually voted early. A blessing of the pandemic. They had early voting at the library. We went the first day of this early voting. The day before the actual election, the candidates were out in force canvasing neighborhoods. Our doorbell rang. I answered it. Standing on my doorstep was a candidate for County Attorney. I told him we had already voted. I assured him his father had been our physician until he retired. And, we had noted that Rand Marshall was supporting him as a candidate. Rand Marshall was our City Attorney while Claude was mayor of Sadieville. Rand's father served on the Friends of Sadieville board with me. Rand came from excellent stock and was a joy to have as city attorney. We only have good and positive feelings about Rand. Rand is the current County Attorney and has worked with this young candidate for several years in the County Attorney's office.

I thought as the candidate left our front porch, how important it is to be a good person and to surround yourself with good people. We didn't really know this young man. But we knew his father and someone he worked with. What a plus for him as a candidate. I hope that the people who are around me find that my friendship and association with them is a positive force in their life. It was an important lesson for me to learn.

Well, we continue to try to find our new norm after Papa's passing. I am not really grieving my father. I am confident it was a blessing for his tired, aching body to find its rest after enduring so well that last part of his life. Claude and I talked about it the other night. We are back to that point when we moved into this home. We now need to find our new normal. We talked about things we would like to do in our day-to-day life as well as extra things we might like to fill our lives with. We are in our early 70's and want to squeeze as much goodness out of life as we can. On to do just that!!

Finding His Way Home...

Saturday, May 14, 2022, I started my day with a morning call from the nursing home. Papa was not well. He had very low blood pressure, his breathing was labored, he was lethargic, he would not look at you when spoken to, he also had diarrhea. I explained to the nurse I had heard a bit of congestion on Friday when I was with him and was concerned about getting pneumonia. She assured me when listening to his lungs they did not hear anything of concern. I also explained to her that, when I tried to give Papa a bite of his treat on Friday, he simply moved it around in his mouth and let it rest on his tongue as he fell asleep. This is totally out of character. The nurse had already placed a call in to the doctor. I opted to wait for doctor instructions before we moved him to a hospital.

I got my laundry started and set my home in order and headed to the nursing home. During this brief period of time, the nurse called and said the doctor's orders were to do as they had been doing. I told her I was coming in and would watch him for a good while before we decided to move him to a hospital if needed.

I went to the nursing home. The CNA's were cleaning Papa so I took my time in the hallway to send a text to Junie and Neffie (my sisters) to alert them. I also sent a text to Claude and asked him to please find someone who could come with him to give Papa a blessing. He was able to get Brad Manwaring to come. As the CNA's worked, one came out and went to get things to shave Papa and trim his nails. This was one of the times I was pretty sure we were at the end. Claude also sent a text alert to the kids for me. Claude and Brad came and gave Papa a beautiful blessing of peace at the end of his life. 

At 12:30pm the nurse came in to take vitals. The blood pressure was up to a normal range again. Oxygen was again in a good range as well as he pulse. I asked the nurse if they were going to try to feed Papa. She shared that she didn't think it would be wise. She said she would get swabs to keep his mouth moist and she brought a DNR order for me to sign in case we had to quickly put him in an ambulance. 

Andie called to be sure I was okay. She had called her dad first to be sure it was okay to call me. I found this a sweet gesture on her part. We had a good call and stopped talking when the nurse returned. 

I talked with the nurse as she swabbed Papa's mouth. I asked her point blank if she felt this was the end of his life. She assured me she believed it was. I asked her how long she felt it might take, knowing this was only a guesstimate. She said three to five days.

I left and went home to change laundry and ask Claude to take me for a hamburger. Having gone through this with Mimi, I knew I might sit in the nursing home for long periods of time. We had a nice lunch in the Burger King parking lot. When we returned home, I switched my wash again before heading back to the nursing home.

I stayed with Papa until 6pm and then decided to go home and rest for the night and come back early in the morning to stay as long as it took. 

Sunday, May 15th, at 12:41am, I received another call from Signature HealthCare. It seems Papa passed about 12:30am. This will always be my only regret. I truly wanted to be with Papa when he passed. I did not want that to happen alone. Claude and I got dressed and went to the nursing home to say our goodbyes to Papa. I never shed a tear. Looking at Papa, I knew his spirit was not in his body. This was simply his body. His eyes were not quite closed so I closed them. I held his hand a bit. He had been cleaned up and was in a hospital shirt which seemed strange as he always wore long-sleeved t-shirts. I gathered his things that I would take home with us. I spoke with the nurses at the nurses station. They said the mortuary usually came in about an hour. I told them that all clothes remaining in Papa's room could be given to other residents as needed. I really only wanted the blanket Mimi made and a bone pillow I made, if they could be found. I was sure they were in the laundry. Then Claude and I went home.

Upon returning home, I received a phone call from Grant at Johnson's Funeral Home. He was about to leave to get Papa's body and wanted to express condolences and answer questions. We determined he would go ahead and embalm Papa's body. Then he and I would meet on Monday at 10am to finalize arrangements with the funeral home. Grant would also reach out to Sunset Memorial Gardens during the day on Sunday to alert them. We had a flurry of texts to our kids and my sisters. Finally, we tried to get some sleep but it was fitful at best for Claude as well as me.

We got up and got ready to go to Church. The men were doing an impromptu choir for the special musical number in Sacrament Meeting. They sang "Ye Elders of Israel". This is always such a moving experience. I enjoyed being with the little ones in Primary. Emerson James gave her very first talk. She is only about 4 years old. Her mother came in to stand beside her and prompt her as to what to say. Emerson stood at the little kids podium we have in the Primary room and talked into the microphone. Her mother whispered in Emerson's ear what her first sentence was to say. Emerson held the microphone and whisper into it exactly as her mother had whispered into her ear. It was so sweet. She did that the entire talk. The miracle of all this is that, when I was first called to serve in Primary, Emerson would not speak at all to anyone. Now here she was giving her very first talk. 

After Church, Claude took me to Applebee's for my favorite meal there, Wanton Chicken Tacos. To this I added a cup of Chicken Tortilla Soup. Delicious. We headed home. 

Claude pull my funeral file for my parents which is kept in his file cabinet. While he napped, I started pulling things together for my Monday meeting with Grant and Johnson's Funeral Home. It felt weird to do this. Usually I am at the nursing home with Papa during this time. To stay home felt really strange. I was also fielding texts from family trying to determine the best time for everyone involved for the funeral. We also determined we were going to have a graveside service in lieu of a full blown funeral at the Church. I created the eulogy for the newspaper and sent it to my sisters to be sure they agreed with it. 

In the evening, I started to not feel well. This would not be a good thing. Lots to do this week. Lots of family to prepare for. Sickness is not needed. I would go to be early this evening.

Monday, May 16th, I was still not well in the morning. I did the best I could to get myself together so we could go to this meeting. 

We had a good meeting with Grant. Set the funeral for Thursday. We would meet at Johnson's Funeral Home as a family at 9am for a brief viewing and family prayer. Then we would caravan with a police escort to the cemetery in Frankfort for a graveside service at 10am. I left the obituary information for the newspaper. I left basic clothing for Grant to put on Papa. Claude would come back on Wednesday at 3pm with other priesthood holders to put the ceremonial clothing on Papa. Grant knew a bakery in Stamping Ground that could provide lunch. We chose a menu and that was settled. I would go to Georgetown Florist and pick out a spray for the casket. I also needed to meet with the cemetery. Grant had them say they would call me back that day to set that time. We left feeling things were on their way. I sent a group text to the family with date and time so everyone could make arrangements for travel.

Claude and I went to Walmart so I could purchase silk flowers for the gravesite. I chose pink and white roses. Papa loved pink and pink seemed appropriate.

Next we went to Georgetown Florist and picked out the spray of flowers for the casket. Again, we went with a pink theme. 

I had not eaten anything and only had what water I could tolerate. We went to Burger King and got me some chicken fries and a small soda. We ate in the parking lot. Lisa Marie took our order. We love her. She waves to us from the window from which she works when she takes our order. She recognizes the green Jeep. It is always a cheerful experience with her. 

I would spend the rest of my day trying to get a program together and answering family questions as they came in. We got all the boxes that were Jake's items out to the shed this afternoon. Now the floor of Sandiland could be used for an air mattress if needed. 

We left at 4:30pm to head to LaGrange. The Mini's had their final band concert this night. We thought we wouldn't be able to make it. But we paused and did this. It was good to enjoy really great music and be with family in a non-funeral-planning mode for a bit. These are my two favorite high school band participants with their musical instruments. Hayden with his Euphonium and Bailey with her trumpet.

I was still not well and went to bed at 10pm thinking rest was the best for me when I could get it this week.

Tuesday, May 17th, I had not received a call from Sunset Memorial Gardens to set a time for me to come and do their paperwork prior to the burial on Thursday. I called them first to get that set up. They said I could come at 10:15am. We quickly got dressed and headed over there. It didn't take long. All the ducks were already in a row and I had been through this with Mimi's funeral. After signing the papers and setting up an appointment to return on Friday to receive the papers, Claude and I drove to the gravesites and put the new flowers on the graves.

This day I was still not fully well. I did eat an English muffin and drank chocolate milk. I was able to keep them down all day without hurling. Yeah me!! We would spend our afternoon with me finalizing the program, getting my sisters approval of it, and getting it and other information to Grant so he could keep doing his things at the funeral home. Then Claude and I set to work. He got a shepherds hook and we put it in the front flower bed so I could watch the hummingbirds from the sofa in the study. When Andie saw these, she asked if her father was put in the corner. I assured her that was perpetual!!

We would then work at boxing up Jake's books and CD's and putting the guest room back as before. I can't seem to find the pillow shams...Ugh!

In the evening, I worked on the eulogy to be read at the funeral added the new memories from family to that growing list. It is truly fun to read what each family member remembers in their relationship with Papa. Hope he is looking down from heaven and seeing all of this. 

Wednesday, March 18th, family would begin their journey to Kentucky from all over. I had called and made an appointment with the Physician's Assistant at my doctor office. Blood would be drawn and it would definitely let us know I did not have a bleeding ulcer. I really probably have food poison. Medication was prescribed to get my tummy fixed enough so I could do all that needed to be done to get through the funeral and family time. The side effect was the medication made me very sleepy and a good bit dizzy. 

Claude would go to Johnson's Funeral Home at 3pm to dress Papa in his temple robes. With him would be Howard Carter, a dear friend that lives in Frankfort, Kentucky, and Dusty Hanson, another dear friend from Georgetown. It felt very good to me that these were the two men to help Claude. 

Nissa, Katelyn and Joel would arrive first from Michigan. They would be staying in our home. There is absolutely nothing to keep you grounded during a funeral like a little baby. Joel is 11 months old and the happiest of babies. He lets you hug and snuggle and he roams freely when on the floor. What a delight to have this bundle of happiness during the next few days. 

We opted to go to Arby's for dinner rather than cook that evening. I sat in the back seat by Joel and he babbled away. Here is Joel babbling. I love this stage with babies. This is their work. They are practicing how to make sounds that lead to words. It is fun to watch this process. 

When we got home, Katelyn gave Joel a bath in our kitchen sink. He really loved splashing that water. 

That evening Neffie would drive in from Oklahoma with her son, Mike. Neffie's other son, David, his wife, Katherine, and their children Norah, Phillip, Eric and Robert would also drive in by car from Arkansas. They would pick up Chiara, Neffie's daughter, at the Bluegrass Airport in Lexington after she flew in from Salt Lake City. This entire family unit would stay at the Super 8 in Georgetown. They would have dinner at Cracker Barrel and then come spend some evening time with our house full. The kids were fascinated with Joel. He enjoyed having little people in the house.

Junie and her family were all flying in to the Cincinnati airport. Junie, Steve and Stevie would fly in from Salt Lake City. Dan would fly in from Milwaukee. Kristi would fly in from Denver. They would all stay at the Fairfield Inn. They got in a bit later so they did not come to our home Wednesday evening. 

This day I filled out the eulogy and printed it for Mike Hurst to read at the funeral. I also made sure I had all the memories of Papa that family sent in a document for Stevie Gulbrandsen to read at the funeral. I would not print that until Thursday morning before we left for the funeral home giving everyone a chance to get their memories to me. 

All was as ready as we could make it for the funeral on Thursday when we went to bed that evening. 

Thursday, May 19th, we awoke early. The family was to be at Johnson's Funeral Home by 9am for a family viewing and family prayer. Katelyn fed Joel and got him dressed for the funeral. He was quite a handsome little guy.

The family time at the funeral home was good. This was our first time to be with Junie's family. Everyone mingled and viewed Papa as they each felt fit for them. Nissa, our oldest, had expressed a desire to give Papa a final nose sugar. Claude put a stepstool in the back of my car in case she needed it to get to him. She did not. She gave him nose sugar. These are the things that bring closure in a good way for family. Papa looked good.

These are pictures of the family visiting at the funeral home.

Steve Gulbrandsen offered the family prayer at the end of this very nice family time. The casket was closed and we determined to line up the cars in birth order. Claude and I would be behind the hearse with Michael and Bailey in the car with us. Behind us was Junie and her crew. Then Neffie with Mike and Chiara followed by David and his family. The pall bearers would be Steve and Dan Gulbrandsen, Junie's sons, Mike and David Hurst, Neffie's sons, and Michael, our son-in-law. We also asked David's three boys if they would like to help. They were eager to be a part and placed themselves between the grown men. Papa's body was born by his grandsons, great grandsons and his grand son-in-law. 

We had a police escort. Sunset Memorial Gardens is in Franklin County, Kentucky. Johnson's Funeral Home is in Scott County. It is about a 20 minutes drive. We would be escorted by Scott County Police to the border of the two counties and then escorted by Franklin County Police when in Franklin County. They take a drive through Kentucky horse country to get there. I was especially happy about that as these are roads Papa and I used to drive all the time. He loved these scenes. So driving by them one more time was very fitting. 

As everyone arrived, I got a few pictures of the vault. We upgraded that for the funeral. We opted for the one with a tree on the top. Papa loved trees. He would study their shapes and color. So, a tree on the top was very fitting. Hanging from the tree branches were 20 little gold circles. These were for the family members to take home and put on their key rings so they would always have a bit of Papa with them. I had also placed fresh silk flowers on the graves earlier in the week. 

Family gathered around. There was seating for me, Junie and Neffie. Most everyone else stood for the brief service. 

The pallbearers would bring Papa's body to the gravesite. 

Me, Junie and Neffie would take our seats and Grant would give instructions while the gentleman helping him would give out the programs. 

Steve Gulbrandsen, Junie's hubby, would conduct the service.

We sang "I Need Thee Every Hour" for an opening hymn. Chiara lead the singing.

Mike Hurst would read the eulogy.

Steve (the son) would read Memories of Papa sent in by family who were at the funeral as well as those who could not make it. 

Papa had requested that "Be Still, My Soul" be sung at his funeral. David Hurst agreed to do this for his grandfather a cappella. Papa would have loved this. David said he had to not look at his mother so that his voice would not break. He did a lovely job.

Claude, my hubby, would then offer a Dedicatory Prayer on Papa's grave. 

That was the little service for Papa. All done by his family for him. It was simple and simply beautiful. 

My one request after the service was to get a picture of us girls behind Papa's casket. When Mimi died 10 years ago, we took a picture of Papa with his girls behind Mimi's casket. I wanted to duplicate that experience for Papa's casket. This turned out so good. Very happy to have this picture of the three of us together. 

Now family would go back to Georgetown to our home for a light lunch and family time before people had to depart for the airports. This would be a good relaxing experience for us all. The weather was beautiful and we used the inside of our home as well as the back yard for this part of our day. Here are some family pictures of this family time.

As it neared time for Junie's crew to go to the airport, we took a few pictures of family groups. 

First is Neffie's family: Standing are Phillip, Mike, Chiara, David, Katherine and Norah. Seated are Robert, Neffie and Eric.

Next was Junie and her family. Standing are Steve, Junie and Kristi. Seated are Dan and Steve.

Then we did my family. Standing are Michael, Andie, Sandi, and Claude. Seated are Katelyn holding Joel, Bailey and Nissa.

Kristi had a great suggestion to get all the grands. Standing are Phillip, Robert, David, Mike, Andie, Kristi, Dan and Steve. Seated are Chiara, Eric, Bailey, Nissa holding Joel, Katelyn and Norah. Papa had 14 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren. 

We brought home the casket spray of flowers. We burst it apart so that anyone who wanted could take flowers home with them. The little rings from the vault were given to those who wanted one for their key ring. 

Junie and her family left first around 2pm. Neffie's group stayed and visited a bit more. Then they left when it was time to take Chiara to the airport in Lexington. They would not come back that night. They stayed at their hotel for some family time together. They would drive early Friday morning for home. 

Nissa, Katelyn and Joel spent the night. Claude introduced Joel to Twinkies. Joel loved this treat and dutifully ate one as Claude broke off bits for him. 

Nissa, Katelyn and I put the remaining flowers in vases. Our home now has that lovely funeral home scent. I like that scent, so it is going to be something I will enjoy. I did get a little silly as we worked with these flowers. The big pink bow looked like a fascinator that women wear to the Kentucky Derby. Katelyn took these pictures of me being silly.

We all headed to bed about 10pm. Long day with a need to get Nissa and Katelyn on the road to Michigan in good time on Friday morning. 

Friday, May 20th, Claude fed Joel another Twinkie for breakfast. I think we have the thing that will be Joel's relationship with his great grandfather...a Twinkie. Joel enjoyed some time studying turtles on Claude's lap. We would miss this little guy when they left.

Nissa and Katelyn hit the road. Claude and I decided to go to Bojangles for a biscuit breakfast. We took our scriptures and read while sitting in the Jeep after breakfast. Then we came home and took a much needed nap. 

After our nap we drove to Bardstown, Kentucky. Years ago at a fundraiser, we bid and won a metal tube that was used during the Civil War to carry messages back and forth. There is a nice military museum as well as a Civil War Museum a little further down the hill in Bardstown. They were happy to receive this donation for their exhibits. The man receiving this gift took us on a tour. He knows so many interesting details about all of their exhibits. It felt right to place this artifact in the right place. 

When we got home, we decided this weekend would be one of rest as much as possible. We decided to start watching the Harry Potter movies. We made it through three of them Friday evening.

What a whirlwind of a week. I stayed ill most of the time with what we believe was food poisoning. Thank heavens for medication to keep it all under control. I was not contagious. Just miserable in my own skin. But we made it through. 

I have been reflecting on Papa's ability to endure well what he is called to endure. I remember years ago when he shut his garage door on his finger. The blood under the nails filled up the end of his finger. I know that hurts. But he still drug his musical instruments to the nursing home and played for the residents. I watched him do something similar at the end of his life. My father loved to talk, read and sing. The last few months he was bedridden. His eyes had cataracts and he had a very hard time telling if it was family or CNA coming to check on him. He could not read or even hold up a very small book. His hearing was really gone. I could put an earbud in his ear, crank up my Kindle to top volume and let him hear music. Other than that, he could not hear my responses when he would ask a question and he couldn't read my answers when I wrote them down for him. This man with so much energy, such a love for talking and singing and reading, could do none of those things. He did not complain. He couldn't even move himself around in his bed. I admired his enduring to the end of his days on earth without complaint. One long second at a time. I will always admire and hold that memory dear of enduring well that which we are called to endure. We may not know or understand the reason. But, we need to always endure well. 

I took this picture of the last of the funeral celebration. I will title it...The Party's Over. Love Ya Bunches Papa and I Promise Not to Take Nary a Wooden Nickel.