The Funeral

I'm kind-of late tonight because I just got back from the gym.  I can't believe how much better I feel when I'm done!  There is just something about torturing myself that I enjoy.  : )  I'm feeling motivated and excited about our half marathon because my brother and his wife said today that they would come down from Washington for it.  I think it's to late to register, but they will come and support the crazy sisters and everyone else in our group.  Jeff even said that he would wear one of my pink shirts!  I'm going to hold him to it.

Dad's funeral was really nice.  He loved music, his whole life was music, up until the very end.  He lead the music in the church meetings at the care center and would sing solos for holiday programs they put together.  So, we had lots of music and only two speakers.  Jeff spoke about the lessons he learned from Dad and Val spoke about how we each knew that Dad loved us.  It was all really great, the part I liked the best was the bagpiper at the end as the pallbearers took the casket to the limo.  That was AWESOME!  When I die, which I won't be doing anytime soon, but just for the record, I want the same thing!!  And the song needs to be Amazing Grace.  Just for the record.

The ward provided a fantastic lunch and then most of the family made the trek up to the cemetary in Huntsville.  Dan dedicated the grave and then we hung around for a while in the freezing cold.  I'm sure the mortuary guy was going crazy, he couldn't leave until we did!  After that we went back to Moms in Kaysville and ate Jello and funeral potatoes for dinner (someone delivered all the leftovers to moms fridge--there was salad and rolls too, but I just didn't get that far).  We all hung out for the rest of the night.  It was awesome to have all of the siblings together again, it's been a long time since that happened!  It was great to sit around and talk and laugh and "be normal". 

Thanks to everyone that came and supported us today and yesterday (not to mention dozens of phone calls and cards, etc.)!  I was amazed at how many people came to the viewings and the funeral!  It was awesome to see so many old friends and even extended family members that I haven't seen in a while.  In fact, one more cool thing.  Last night at the mortuary, there were people in line until after 8:00.  The very last guy in line came and introduced himself to Mom as an Ogden High graduate.  He had been in Dad's choirs and said he made such a profound difference in his life.  He graduated in the early 70's!  Isn't that amazing?  Dad was pretty cool.