I drove to the funeral in Lyman by myself with the boys because Matt had finals he couldn't miss. We got there Tuesday afternoon and went to the viewing that night and the funeral the next morning. At the viewing, I couldn't even walk by the casket because I was so emotional.
The next morning before the funeral, my parents and siblings and I went early to practice our songs in the chapel and I went down the hall to get a drink and noticed that no one was in the relief society room so I quietly went in by myself and spent a few moments of alone time with my wonderful grandpa. It was a really special moment for me and I felt his presence there with me and then it was like I felt it leave and it hit me that the man lying there was not my grandpa any longer, that he had moved on to be with my grandma and my father who had both passed on before him. From that moment on I really felt only joy.
The only other time I really cried was just before they closed the casket but then my sweet little 4 year old niece, Abigail, started saying in the quiet room, "When Jesus comes again, Grandpa will be alive!" That was really wonderful for me to hear and she has such great parents who obviously teach her the truths of the gospel.
I am very thankful for the knowledge that I have that families can be together forever and that this life is not the end. The bishop read a quote at the funeral (I don't remember who it was by) that said something like "The spirit leaves the body as a school boy leaves the school house. Suddenly, and with joy."
I was asked to sing with my family at the funeral and then again by myself as the closing song. I sang "Consider the Lilies." I made it through without crying because the song is just so comforting. It basically says that the Savior knows each one of us and takes care of us.
My grandparents lived only a couple blocks away my whole life and my siblings and I rode our bikes there nearly every day in the summer and we spent a lot of time there. I would always go there when I'd gotten in trouble with my parents because I knew Grandpa would comfort me and Grandma would tease and play with me. I also knew where they hid the candy (because they made it obvious) and would raid it often. I always knew that my grandparents loved me so much, even in their later years and when I was an adult and our relationship changed a little. It's weird to think that they're both gone but I know that they are together and that I will see them again!
Here's a picture of my grandparents.
2 comments:
I love all the pictures! It helps me remember him before he got sick.
Those are great pictures! I wish I had more.
Post a Comment