We had my "stepdad's" funeral last Thursday. I say stepdad in quotes because I was an adult when my mom married David, and they were both in their seventies. My mom, along with myself and my sisters planned the funeral. Mom wanted so much to honor him. We had to find his discharge papers from the Navy so he could have military honors. The chaplain at the nursing home was very helpful in getting them to the cemetery and the funeral home. Mom was so worried about the weather, because rain and wind were forecast for the day. Everything went well, though. All of David's children and grandchildren were there, along with the stepchildren and step grandchildren. The sun came out just in time and the cemetery service was beautiful, with the military honors, the 21-gun salute and the playing of "Taps". Mom was pleased and hoped that David was "watching".
So, now there is a period of calm before we go on with life, with helping Mom sort out the house and the insurance and the rest of her life. She is coming here this week to be fitted for a hearing aid, with the help of the audiologist in my brother-in-law's medical office.
I have been enjoying the beauty of autumn. Every time I drive, I notice trees in their fall colors. I always want to stop and take pictures of them. I can't just stop in traffic, though. I pulled into a church yard to take these:
This golden one has already lost a lot of its leaves. I think I caught it a little past its prime. It was spectacular with all its leaves. Every year I feel sad when the trees go bare and the color is gone.
5 comments:
So glad you managed to arrange the funeral the way you all wanted it. And such glorious weather and trees - a lovely post.
Thank you! I finally found out how to enlarge my photos on the post.
Beautiful.
Your photographs are beautiful.
And even I feel a bit of the relief... seeing everything came together, your mother's wishes honored.
Enjoy the calm, and colors.
You must be both pleased and relieved Judy - it's not been an easy journey and your family's efforts have been patient and honourable, to the point of a funeral service that reflects unity, and your care, love and concern often in the face of adversity.
Your stepdad must want to give you a big heavenly hug!!
Autumn is a beautiful season isn't it. I'm sure I'd be stopping for photos too with those lovely trees.
Yes, we are both pleased and relieved. Our mom gave us some names out of Dave's address book and we called some of his out-of-town relatives who otherwise would not have been aware that he had died. We were so happy to see his 91-year old brother come from Columbus, driven by his son, Dave's nephew.
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