Grandpa's Funeral

In February my grandfather passed away and we traveled to Indiana for the funeral. It's sad that he's gone but it's also ok that he's gone. He's where he's supposed to be and I'm happy about that. I'm constantly amazed at how much I know about the atonement and plan of salvation from dealing with my brother's death three years ago. It has made my grandpa's death much easier to deal with.

What really bummed me was the timing. I had plans to write his history this coming July. He stopped working a few months ago, was diagnosed with cancer towards the end of the year, met with the oncologist in January, and then died the day my mother picked up the reports telling what kind of cancer it was in February. So darn fast! When my dad determined that Grandpa wouldn't make it to the summer, Neil and I decided I would fly out with Micah and write his history before it was too late. I had my plane tickets on my computer screen, waiting to be purchased, when my mom called saying it was too late and not to come. Oh I was sad about that! Then we started the waiting game. Every time the phone rang I thought it was my mom calling to say he had died. But his heart was strong and his lungs were clear and he just kept hanging in there! He finally passed away about a week later. Sadie actually called my mom about 30 seconds after he left and my mom (and Aunt Camille) was there with him. That little girl must have been very in tune! I think we must have been the first ones outside of the house to know because of her.

We had two very painful car trips but the trip was still very enjoyable. We loved driving through St. Louis and seeing all the places we love. My kids got to see more snow falling but they never did get to play in it. But I think getting spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa was a good consolation for no snow.

 My mom has a bird named Piper. Charlotte was in love. Here she is feeding her treats. Micah also liked to stare at the bird and wouldn't pay attention to much else in the kitchen.

 Here we are at my Grandma's house. We always go visit when we're in town. Charlotte was very, very sick this day and that's why she looks a little out of it. In fact, she and Madoc were sick before we left. Madoc just had ear infections but Charlotte had a little virus that with travelling turned into a BIG virus that she shared with Micah. We discovered he had fever during the viewing. My poor little babies were miserable. When Charlotte would wake up in the night around 4 am my dad would just pull her into bed with him. They both liked it. And one morning after a very long night my mom came and took Micah to give him a bottle and rock him in her room so I could sleep. Oh how I needed sleep that whole trip! With both babies not feeling well, the trip home was not much fun. But I don't know what could have made it fun so oh well.

 I don't have good pictures of the funeral because my mom had my camera. At least I'm using that as my excuse. Really I just don't take pictures anymore... But here are the four February girls - four cousins all born  in February 1982. We're in order, youngest to oldest.

 My grandma and grandpa had 13 kids. It's hard to see this far away but they're all lined up in order there on the left. My dad, John, is the fifth. During the funeral, each of the thirteen families was represented in some way except ours. That's because my dad was the one who took care of Grandpa during his fight with cancer. He pretty much lived there that last week. I'm so glad that he was the one there looking after Grandma and Grandpa. Nobody could have done a better job.

And it's an awful picture but I was determined to get a picture of everyone at my mom's house. Never mind that it was late after church on Sunday, everyone's in pajamas, and we're five minutes away from getting in the car to drive home for thirty hours. Micah was really tired and screaming his head off.